On April 1, the 5th extraordinary session of UNESCO’s Committee for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict was held, with Armenia participating as a committee member, according to Armenia’s Permanent Delegation to UNESCO.

The session was convened at Lebanon’s initiative to ensure the preservation of cultural assets amid regional tensions. By the committee’s decision, 39 cultural sites in Lebanon were granted “enhanced protection” status.

In his remarks, Armenia’s permanent representative stressed that safeguarding cultural heritage during armed conflicts remains a priority for the international community.

According to reports, Azerbaijan continues the systematic destruction of Artsakh’s cultural heritage. On March 11, 2026, a TikTok user published a video from the village of Khnapat in the Askeran region, where a 12th-century khachkar appears to have been destroyed. The destruction of khachkars contradicts international legal norms. “The art of Armenian khachkars: symbolism and craftsmanship” has been included in UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list since 2010.