Lithuania presents changes in heritage protection and its aspiration to become a member of the World Heritage Committee at UNESCO session
Lithuania's commitment to the protection of the world heritage, its first publicly expressed ambition to become a candidate for the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in 2027 and its strong support for Ukraine are the main highlights of Lithuania's participation in the 47th session of the World Heritage Committee currently taking place in Paris.
The agenda of the session, which is taking place from 6 to 16 July at UNESCO Headquarters, includes presentations of the reports of the World Heritage Centre and the UNESCO Advisory Bodies, political and financial aspects of the programme, consideration of new applications and an assessment of the state of conservation of the properties already inscribed on the World Heritage List.
In its national statement during the session, the Lithuanian delegation expressed its strong commitment to the provisions of the World Heritage Convention and presented concrete efforts to integrate them into national law. This will be ensured by the new version of the Law on the Protection of the Real Cultural Heritage, which sets out a clear framework for the protection and management of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
"This session is not only an opportunity to learn more about the activities and issues of other countries and institutions in the field of World Heritage conservation, to exchange knowledge and skills at expert level, but also an opportunity for us to present our work and our future aspirations. By drafting a new version of the Law on the Protection of Heritage, by approving the management plans for the World Heritage sites of Kernavė Archaeological Site and the Historical Centre of Vilnius, we have established clear and modern mechanisms for the protection of UNESCO properties at the national level. It is this consistent work and accumulated experience, as well as our participation in international expert working groups, that gives us the basis to seek membership of the World Heritage Committee in 2027, where we could actively contribute to decisions of importance to all humanity," says Sigita Bugenienė, a member of the Lithuanian delegation, National Coordinator for World Heritage and Head of the Cultural Heritage Policy Group at the Ministry of Culture.
Lithuania has underlined its continued support for Ukraine both in its national statement and in the joint statement of the Friends of Ukraine Group. The latter, signed by 43 countries, stressed that Russia's continued attacks on Ukraine's World Heritage Sites are an assault on humanity's common cultural heritage and a systematic effort to destroy Ukraine's identity. The Joint Statement also expresses deep concern about the Russian occupation of Ukrainian territories, where illegal so-called "restoration" works and the destruction of historical monuments are taking place.
Last updated: 06-08-2025