The United Nations General Assembly has unanimously approved a resolution backed by Greece calling for the return of items of cultural heritage to their countries of origin.

The vote comes as Greece steps up long-running efforts to convince the UK to give up the Parthenon Marbles, which were taken from Athens in the early 19th century and are currently displayed in the British Museum.

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The UN resolution, also supported by more than a dozen other nations including Peru, India, Egypt and Cambodia, does not mention any specific objects but observes that recent conflicts have led to widespread looting and destruction of culturally valuable relics and locations.

"Cultural property is not simply a testimony of a nation's past but the reflection of a country's history and heritage," Greece's representative at the UN, Maria Theofili, told the assembly. "Therefore it must be protected ... and be restored to its historic environment where it could best inspire the collective conscience of humanity."

Greece's Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis last month urged his UK counterpart Boris Johnson to change his mind on the issue. Johnson says the items, which decorated the Parthenon temple dominating the city of Athens, were legally acquired by the British aristocrat who removed them and are the property of the British Museum. 

Greece says the 2,500-year-old sculptures, which depict scenes from Greek mythology, were stolen.