Georgia steps up efforts to protect cultural heritage

Georgia is taking steps to protect monuments of cultural heritage in cases of armed conflict, announces the Agency of Protection and Development of Cultural Heritage of Georgia

After a meeting with UNESCO in 2016, a number of Georgia’s most treasured historical sites and monuments were placed under protection in case of armed conflict.

The Ministry of Defence of Georgia began trainings on cultural heritage for Georgian military personnel on 26 September to support the effort. Photo: Ministry of Defence

In case of armed conflict, the government is obligated to safeguard UNESCO World Heritage sites and prevent their being used as sites for military activity.

UNESCO has established special emblems and symbols to ensure the recognition and identification of cultural monuments in such instances. The symbols were presented at a ceremony on 26 September near Jvari Monastery.