At the initiative of the international non-governmental organizations Global Heritage Fund, Europa Nostra, OurWorldHeritage and with the support of the Heritage Emergency Response Initiative, a museum defense initiative created to save Ukraine's cultural and historical heritage, museum collections, humanitarian aid in the face of the invasion of russian troops on the territory of Ukraine, on March 31, 2022 an online webinar was held dedicated to the current situation in the field of cultural heritage in Ukraine. The purpose of the meeting was to identify and prioritize necessities, as well as to exchange views and initiatives of public organizations seeking to support Ukraine in this crisis situation.

Participants of the webinar from the Ukrainian side, including the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra National Preserve, acquainted the international community with the current state of cultural heritage sites in Ukraine – historical centers, museums and cultural institutions are being targeted, damaged and destroyed by the russian occupiers. In particular, the urgent needs were discussed, the efforts made by Ukrainian museum workers to secure monuments were highlighted, as well as initiatives for the protection of sites, museum, cultural infrastructure were represented, including those realized with the help of international institutions and foundations.

Representatives of international NGOs, in turn, assured Ukrainian experts of their solidarity and readiness to provide comprehensive support. They acquainted with initiatives to support Ukrainian heritage in the crisis, such as the crowdfunding campaign organized by Europa Nostra and Global Heritage Fund. An important factor is the understanding that Ukraine needs support not only for the period of hostilities on its territory, but also in the further recovery of cultural life, reconstruction and restoration of cultural properties. In addition, the international civil society expresses its solidarity and indignation at the fact that the 45th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee is still scheduled in Kazan (russian federation), and joins their voices together in the claim to transfer the session. Violent invasion of Ukraine, humanitarian crisis, numerous civilian casualties, destruction of historic cities, irreversible damage to cultural and natural heritage - russia systematically violates the provisions of both the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict and the 1972 Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage and should therefore be deprived of the right to chair the Committee.