Concept note
The impact of Russia’s full-scale war of aggression on the culture sector of Ukraine has been
devastating, including for historic cities, cultural sites, and built heritage, as well as for cultural
institutions, museums and collections, the creative sector, and the practice and transmission of
intangible cultural heritage, that are at the heart of social cohesion.
The Ministry of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine and UNESCO have steered the
international coordination efforts through the International Coordination Meetings for Culture
in Ukraine and the efforts of dedicated working groups to jointly develop and update an Action
Plan for Culture in Ukraine in response to the evolving context and needs. It responds to the
priorities of the Government of Ukraine, in particular, those of the Recovery and Development
Plan for Ukraine presented at the Lugano Conference on the Recovery of Ukraine in 2022.
The international conference “Towards the Recovery of the Culture Sector of Ukraine” hosted
by the Republic of Lithuania, in close cooperation with Ukraine and partnership with UNESCO,
would aim to raise awareness about the impact of Russia’s war of aggression on the culture
sector of Ukraine and consolidate international support for stabilization and recovery of Ukraine
from the effects of the war.
The discussions at the Conference will be organized into two sessions. The First session will
aim to take stock of the impact of the war on the culture sector and is expected to result in
better-coordinated efforts and initiatives underway, as well as to present the updated Action
Plan for Culture in Ukraine.
The Second session will be co-chaired by the Minister of Culture of the Republic of Lithuania
and a high-level representative of the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine
and will aim to provide a platform for high-level representatives to share their insights and/or
announce concrete pledges towards the recovery of the culture sector of Ukraine.
At the end of the Conference, we would aim to adopt the Vilnius Call for Action on the Recovery
of the Culture Sector of Ukraine.
We would invite your respective delegations to observe the suggested format (1+2). Travel and
accommodation expenses of participants are to be borne by their respective States.
The working language will be English with simultaneous interpretation into Ukrainian.
We would kindly ask you to confirm your participation and whether you wish to be included in
the List of Speakers for the Second session at conference@unesco.lt by 30 April 2024.
An online registration link with practical information will be available in due course.
For any additional information, please do not hesitate to contact conference@unesco.lt