An international mission from the UNESCO World Heritage Centre and ICOMOS is currently in Odesa to evaluate the preservation of cultural heritage.

«We are delighted to be here and meet you. Our mission is to gather information and conduct consultations to develop recommendations for safeguarding World Heritage», stated Ms. Berta de San Cristóbal, head of the mission.

The mission was initially scheduled for 2023 but was postponed due to increased shelling. 
Its main goal is to assess the condition of the World Heritage site and check the implementation of prior recommendations.

One of the recommendations was to maintain the site in its original form, as well as identify key attributes and preservation issues. 

International experts noted that some issues stem from the war, while others are influenced by political factors. 

«UNESCO is not about politics; it’s about our shared history and heritage. Preserving the integrity of the historical center of Odesa is our top priority», emphasized Mayor Gennady Trukhanov. 

The mission will last several days and include numerous meetings. During the war, Odesa has been subjected to around 10 significant attacks, resulting in damage to approximately 170 cultural heritage sites.