(TITC) - On 22 July 2024, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ha Kim Ngoc, Chairman of the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO, led the Vietnam delegation to attend the 46th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee (WHC) in New Delhi (India). Vietnam participates for the first time as a member of the WHC for the 2023 - 2027 term.
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Vietnam delegation attended the 46th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee. Photo: NDO
Representatives including Ambassador - Head of the Vietnam Delegation to UNESCO, Secretary General of the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO, Director of the Department of Cultural Heritage of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and leaders of Ha Noi, Ninh Binh, Thua Thien Hue, Quang Ninh, Hai Phong, Quang Binh attended the meeting.
Speaking at the session, Deputy Minister Ha Kim Ngoc said that as the Vietnamese people are mourning the passing of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, Vietnam wishes to emphasise the significant thoughts of the Party leader on the role of culture as the spiritual foundation of society, serving both as a goal and an intrinsic strength and important motivation for national development.
Vietnam always prioritises the effective implementation of the World Heritage Convention, paying attention to conserving and promoting the value of eight world heritage sites in the country, cooperating effectively with the World Heritage Centre and advisory bodies, and integrating the content of the Convention into its legal system and socio-economic development policies, Deputy Minister Ha Kim Ngoc stated.
He committed to contributing to the World Heritage Fund, urged UNESCO and its member countries to continue strengthening international cooperation, effectively implementing the Convention, sharing experiences, enhancing capacity, and promoting the participation and contributions of the community, women, and youth.
On behalf of the more than 2,000 delegates from over 150 countries, Chairperson of the World Heritage Committee Vishal V. Sharma highly valued the message from the Vietnamese official, extending his deepest condolences to leaders and people of Vietnam, and the bereaved family on their great loss.
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Vietnam delegation had a meeting with Director of the UNESCO World Heritage Centre Lazare Eloundou Assomo. Photo: NDO
Earlier, 21 July, Vietnam delegation had a meeting with Director of the UNESCO World Heritage Centre Lazare Eloundou Assomo. Chairman of the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO shared that world heritage sites in Vietnam have been making a very positive contribution to improving the lives of local communities as well as the sustainable socio-economic development of the country.
Chairman of Ninh Binh Provincial People's Committee emphasized the efforts to preserve and promote the value of Trang An Landscape Complex, aiming to build Ninh Binh into a centrally-governed city with the characteristics of a millennium heritage urban area and a creative city.
Vice Chairman of Ha Noi People's Committee affirmed the seriousness and responsibility in implementing commitments to preserve and promote the value of the World Heritage site of Thang Long Imperial Citadel to increase the outstanding global value of the heritage, meeting the wishes and desires of all Vietnamese people.
Vice Chairman of People's Committee of Thua Thien Hue province emphasized the efforts to preserve and promote the value of 8 UNESCO heritages/titles. It is expected that Vietnam National Assembly will soon approve the decision to turn Hue into a centrally-governed city based on the heritage.
Vice Chairman of Quang Ninh Provincial People's Committee highly appreciated the close coordination with Hai Phong City in managing the inter-local heritage of Ha Long Bay - Cat Ba archipelago, expressing his wish to receive support from UNESCO World Heritage Centre for the nomination dossier of Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem - Con Son - Kiep Bac Monuments and Landscape.
Vice Chairman of Quang Binh Provincial People's Committee affirmed to make every effort to sustainably preserve Phong Nha - Ke Bang heritage.
For his part, Director Lazare Eloundou Assomo thanked Vietnam for its contributions, stressing that the country is a model for heritage conservation and promotion. He said he hopes that Vietnam will share its experience with other UNESCO member countries.
The World Heritage Centre always accompanies and fully supports Vietnam in the conservation and promotion of its world heritage sites, and commits to reviewing and supporting Vietnam's future world heritage nomination dossiers within the scope of its functions, he affirmed.
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