The 225th session of the UNESCO Executive Board has concluded in Paris. During the session, Member States of the Executive Board adopted, by recorded vote, two decisions of importance to Ukraine: on the follow-up of the situation in the temporarily occupied Autonomous Republic of Crimea, and on UNESCO’s actions and emergency assistance programme for Ukraine.

Follow-up of the situation in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea (Ukraine)

On 14 October 2026, the External Relations Commission (PX) of the Executive Board adopted the decision “Follow-up of the situation in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea (Ukraine)”. The decision provides for continued monitoring of the situation on the temporarily occupied peninsula in UNESCO’s fields of competence and requests the Director-General to present an updated report at the 227th session of the Executive Board.

The monitoring covers the state of education, culture, science and freedom of expression in Crimea. For Ukraine, this mechanism remains an important tool for keeping the situation in the occupied territories on the international agenda. Ukraine consistently stresses the need to protect the cultural heritage of Crimea, to uphold the right of Crimean Tatars and Ukrainians to education in their native languages, and to ensure the safety of journalists and freedom of expression on the peninsula.

The decision was supported by 24 Member States of the Executive Board, with 3 votes against and 23 abstentions. Eight States were absent during the vote.

UNESCO’s actions and emergency assistance programme for Ukraine

On 19 October 2026, the Executive Board adopted decision 225 EX/4.I.G on UNESCO’s actions and emergency assistance programme for Ukraine. Launched after the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, the programme covers all areas of UNESCO’s mandate, from the protection and preservation of cultural heritage to support for education, science, artists and cultural professionals, journalists and media workers.

Since the programme began, UNESCO and its donors have mobilized more than USD 70 million for Ukraine. The Organization’s work on the ground is coordinated by the UNESCO Antenna in Kyiv. The decision reflects Member States’ readiness to continue supporting UNESCO’s activities in Ukraine and to strengthen assistance for the recovery of educational, scientific and cultural institutions affected by the war.

The decision was supported by 27 Member States of the Executive Board, with 3 votes against and 20 abstentions. Eight States were absent during the vote.

These results demonstrate the international community’s steadfast support for Ukraine and mark another failure of the aggressor State’s attempts to legitimize its actions.

The Permanent Delegation of Ukraine to UNESCO expresses its sincere gratitude to partner countries for their solidarity with Ukraine and for defending human rights and our cultural heritage.