Russian resignation allegedly unblocks key UNESCO committee: Source

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A diplomatic source told AFP that the resignation of Russia's Ambassador to UNESCO will allegedly end the deadlock in a key group he chaired that is charged with preserving cultural sites around the world. 

The World Heritage Committee, responsible for adding properties to UNESCO's list of world heritage sites, had been unable to function for months after the start of the Ukraine war.

"I have the honor to inform you of the end of my mission as permanent delegate of the Russian Federation to UNESCO," Russian Ambassador Alexander Kuznetsov announced on Tuesday in a letter to the members of the World Heritage Committee obtained by AFP.

A UN diplomat told AFP that the resignation will pave the way for the committee to "quickly appoint a new president" and resume its activities.

The committee had been due to meet in June in the Russian city of Kazan, but 46 countries, including France and the UK, boycotted the event.

The meeting was supposed to update the landscapes, monuments, and cities included in the body's list of heritage sites.

UNESCO regulations dictate that replacements for a resigning committee chair are to be appointed by the country that follows in alphabetical order in English. 

Saudi Arabia, which is next in line after Russia, is expected to announce in the coming days whether it will take over the chair of the committee.

UNESCO said an extraordinary meeting will be held in the following weeks to determine the date and place of its next ordinary session, expected in the first half of next year.

Read more: UNESCO rebuffs setting up new associated schools in Russia: Diplomat