Viet Nam makes positive contributions to UNESCO

Viet Nam always highly values multilateral cooperation and UNESCO’s role, and vows to continue to active and positive contributions to the organization’s common affairs, said Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ha Kim Ngoc.

The Deputy Foreign Minister made the above statement while addressing the 219th session of the UNESCO’s Executive Board in Paris, France on March 18-19.

He applauded the UNESCO Director-General and the Secretariat as well as the organization's members in promoting interdisciplinary and multi-sector approaches, diversifying resources, and expanding the global partnership network to further strengthen the role and effectiveness of the organization.

Ha suggested UNESCO and its Executive Board continue implementing initiatives, programs, and activities to realize the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) No. 4 on ensuring equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all while strengthening the efficiency of the Global Network of Learning Cities, UNESCO Associated Schools Network and UNESCO Creative Cities Network.

He also highlighted the importance of connecting culture and heritage with sustainable development, promoting open science and ethics in artificial intelligence, strengthening biodiversity conservation, water security, ocean governance, and climate change response, and contributing to the UN Summit of the Future (slated for September), and supporting member countries in implementing the SDGs.

The Deputy Foreign Minister also expected that the UNESCO leaders and the UNESCO Secretariat would support Viet Nam’s new heritage dossiers such as those of the Yen Tu - Con Son - Kiep Bac landscape and relic complex, Oc Eo - Ba The archaeological site, Con Moong cave, and intangible cultural heritages such as Festival of Ba Chua Xu Goddess at Sam Mountain, Dong Ho folk painting art, and Lang Son global geopark.

Viet Nam also hopes to receive support in preserving and promoting the value of UNESCO-recognized world heritage sites, including the project to preserve, restore, and promote the value of the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long – Ha Noi.

The leaders of UNESCO and ICOMOS vowed to support Viet Nam in building and promoting heritage dossiers proposed by the Chairman of the Viet Nam National Commission for UNESCO.

Ha took the occasion to invite UNESCO leaders to visit Viet Nam for the celebrations of 10 years since Trang An Landscape Complex was recognized as a World Cultural and Natural Heritage Site (April), the Festival for Peace 2024 (July), and the 8th Asia Pacific Geoparks Network Symposium (September).