The historic center of the Ukrainian port city of Odessa has been declared a world heritage site in danger of extinction by the UN cultural agency.
The “Pearl of the Black Sea” was bombed several times during the 11-month war in Ukraine. Last year, residents protected the city’s monuments and historic buildings by covering them with sandbags.
UNESCO said its decision recognizes the site’s “Outstanding Universal Value”, but Russia called the move “politically motivated”. Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO, said in her speech after the vote:
“At first there was a symbolic aspect, which was that this city belongs to the world heritage, it touches all of us, we all look at it, we all see it and recognize its history and its contribution to the heritage. This is already an important symbolic aspect.”
Ms. Azoulay stressed that this decision means that all members of the convention, including Russia, will be obliged to “prevent the deliberate destruction” of the World Heritage Site.
Parts of Odessa have also been added to the list of World Heritage in Danger, which UNESCO notes gives the city access to technical and financial assistance “which Ukraine can request to ensure the protection of the site and, if necessary, help in its restoration.”
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Moscow accused Ukraine of submitting a bad dossier and said the vote was taken “under pressure from the West” while “ignoring the rules of procedure”: “It was hastily prepared, without meeting the current high standards of UNESCO,” – quotes Air Force.
Seven more Ukrainian sites have been added to the UNESCO World Heritage List, including St. Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv and the historic center of the western city of Lviv.
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