UIA - Response letter from the UIA President and Secretary General

Dear President,

We acknowledge receipt of your letter to the International Union of Architects
and thank you for informing us on damage of world heritage in Ukraine.

In the tense international situation today many of UIA's member sections face difficult situations with wars,
loss of innocent civil population and destruction of vital infrastructures, housing as well as damage to heritage buildings and sites.

We deplore that world heritage listed monuments with not only historical and cultural but
also symbolical significance are targeted in conflicts. As far as we are informed the damages
of the cathedral « Sophia Kyivska » are minimal and not structural and thus fortunately the building is not destroyed.

The UIA stands for human rights and dignity, diversity and equity, respect of International and humanitarian law,
protection of civil population and heritage. The Union deplores armed conflicts and wars,
condemns all kinds of violence and claims ceasefire and peace.

Concerning your renewed request to suspend the Russian section from UIA membership we want to remind
that the UIA official position respects the resolution taken at the 2023 General Assembly
in Copenhagen on this issue and remains unchanged.

In this respect we would like to quote Oscar Niemeyer: "While some are only concerned
with the manufacture of weapons that sow death and destruction, architects build houses, factories, hospitals,
schools, and universities. We are the antithesis of destruction."

With respect and solidarity,

Sincerely yours,

Regina Gonthier UIA President and Rui Leão UIA Secretary Genera