PARIS (ArmRadio)—The 9th meeting of the UNESCO Committee for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict was held in Paris on December 17-18, during which Armenia was elected Vice-President of the Bureau.

The Armenian delegation actively participated in the sitting, contributing to the developments and decisions envisaged by the agenda.

The Committee notably adopted a statement condemning the targeted destruction of cultural heritage in Syria and Iraq, including the Armenian Genocide Memorial Church in Der Zor that was destroyed by ISIS in late September.

The Committee for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict was established in 2006 as a body controlling the implementation of UN programs aimed at safeguarding world cultural properties and artifacts when they come under threat of destruction during war.