A joint mission from UNESCO and ICOMOS is currently in Odessa to assess the situation.
«We are pleased to be here in your beautiful city. Our mission is to gather information and conduct consultations to develop recommendations for protecting the World Heritage site,» said mission leader Ms. Berta de San Cristobal.
The monitoring group was supposed to visit earlier but postponed due to increased military activity.
The goal is to evaluate the state of the World Heritage site and review the implementation of previous recommendations.
One recommendation includes preserving the site in its original state. Experts will identify key attributes and issues affecting preservation, including safety and management concerns.
As noted by the experts, some issues are related to the war, while others stem from political factors.
«UNESCO is about heritage and culture, not politics. For us, the people of Odessa, it is crucial to maintain the integrity of our cultural heritage,» emphasized Mayor Gennady Trukhanov.
The mission will last several days and will include meetings and field consultations. During the war, the World Heritage site has experienced about 10 significant attacks, and approximately 170 cultural heritage sites in Odessa have suffered damage.
