25 years of accompanying sustainable development in Vietnam

On the evening of October 25, at Thang Long Imperial Citadel, the 25th Anniversary Ceremony of the establishment of the UNESCO Office in Vietnam took place.

Delegates attending the 25th Anniversary of the UNESCO Office in Vietnam. (Photo: Nguyen Hong)

Attending the celebration program were former Minister of Foreign Affairs, former Chairman of the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO Nguyen Dy Nien; Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chairman of the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO Ha Kim Ngoc, along with Vice Chairmen, leaders, former leaders, officials of the Secretariat, Sub-committees, and specialized Sub-committees of the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO; Chairman of the People's Committee of Cao Bang province Hoang Xuan Anh and many leaders of the provinces and cities owning the heritage; representatives of leaders of ministries, branches, localities, Management Boards, experts, scholars, researchers, representatives of businesses, partners and the media.

On the UNESCO side, there were Mr. Firmin Edouard Matoko, Assistant Director General for External Relations of UNESCO; Mr. Jonathan Baker, Head of UNESCO Representative Office in Vietnam; and many leaders and staff of the UNESCO Office in Vietnam; more than 20 Ambassadors, Charge d'Affaires, Deputy Ambassadors, Heads of diplomatic missions and international organizations in Vietnam.

A very special moment

“This is a very special moment for all of us who have worked with UNESCO in Vietnam over the past 25 years,” said Mr. Jonathan Baker, UNESCO Representative in Vietnam, in his opening remarks at the celebration.

UNESCO Representative in Vietnam, Mr. Jonathan Baker, spoke at the program. (Photo: Nguyen Hong)

The UNESCO Representative in Vietnam expressed his gratitude to the staff, predecessors and former staff of the UNESCO Representative Office in Vietnam and the leaders of ministries, departments and localities of Vietnam.

Mr. Jonathan Baker said that 2024 is not only the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the UNESCO office in Hanoi, but also the 25th anniversary of Hanoi being honored as a UNESCO City for Peace.

The head of UNESCO in Vietnam said that UNESCO has supported Vietnam in promoting its extremely rich and diverse culture and heritage, and identified culture as an indispensable part of Vietnam's development process.

Currently, Vietnam has 8 world heritages, 15 intangible cultural heritages and 10 documentary heritages, in addition to 11 biosphere reserves and 4 global geoparks. Along with that, this is also a country known for its dynamic, creative young generation and developing cultural industries, especially in 3 creative cities: Hanoi, Da Lat and Hoi An and other cities are about to join the list.

There are currently five UNESCO Learning Cities in the S-shaped strip of land, with many more cities interested in joining the network; this learning network is transforming education and learning for the benefit of Vietnamese children and students.

Vietnam is a great example to the world of how countries can leverage UNESCO designations to promote heritage, creativity, learning and sustainable development, while creating opportunities for regions and localities.

Mr. Jonathan Baker emphasized that UNESCO in Vietnam does not stop at recognizing titles but wants to play a key role as a trusted partner and advisor in professional fields.

Looking forward to the future, the UNESCO Representative in Vietnam believes that the cooperative relationship between UNESCO and Vietnam will grow stronger.

“UNESCO will work closely with Vietnam as it continues to strengthen its position as an important and respected member of the international community and of UNESCO, and to ensure a peaceful, prosperous and meaningful future for the Vietnamese people through education, culture, science and communication,” the head of the UNESCO Office in Vietnam stressed.

Cooperation is increasingly open

As a very special guest in the program celebrating the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the UNESCO Office in Vietnam, with a 50-year career in the diplomatic field, and the longest-ever Chairman of the UNESCO National Commission - 12 years, former Foreign Minister Nguyen Dy Nien had a special affection for UNESCO's work - "I love UNESCO very much", he said.

Former Minister of Foreign Affairs, former Chairman of the National Commission for UNESCO, Mr. Nguyen Dy Nien spoke at the program. (Photo: Nguyen Hong)

During his previous and current working years, former Foreign Minister Nguyen Dy Nien devoted much effort and made many great contributions to the development of cultural diplomacy and the Vietnam - UNESCO partnership.

At the 25th anniversary ceremony, the former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam recalled many memories when he was working for UNESCO. That was the moment when the UNESCO General Assembly in Paris, France in 1987 approved the honor of President Ho Chi Minh as “Hero of national liberation, outstanding cultural figure of Vietnam”. As a direct participant of the Conference, Mr. Nguyen Dy Nien felt extremely proud and secure with the help of UNESCO friends.

Mr. Nguyen Dy Nien also said that in the activities, Vietnam and UNESCO always show close ties, through extremely meaningful activities for the Vietnamese people, UNESCO has received great affection from the elderly to children in all regions of Vietnam.

Former Foreign Minister Nguyen Dy Nien emotionally recalled memories with the UNESCO Chief Representatives in Vietnam, including open working sessions, close cooperation, and the nostalgia when the Chief Representatives ended their terms and had to say goodbye to Vietnam...

Notably, just earlier this month, General Secretary and President To Lam, the highest leader of Vietnam, visited the UNESCO Secretariat in Paris, France for the first time and met with the UNESCO Director General in Paris, demonstrating the importance and interest of the leaders of the Vietnamese Party and State in UNESCO's work.

“The joint implementation and cooperation between Vietnam and UNESCO is extremely important, humane and friendly to the spiritual and material life of the people. I believe that in the future, cooperation between the two sides will be increasingly open,” said Mr. Nguyen Dy Nien.

UNESCO - A special place in the hearts of Vietnamese people

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam, Chairman of the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO, Mr. Ha Kim Ngoc expressed his joy at attending the celebration and said that Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son sent a beautiful flower basket to congratulate the special holiday of the UNESCO Office in Hanoi.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam, Chairman of the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO, Mr. Ha Kim Ngoc spoke at the program. (Photo: Nguyen Hong)

Deputy Minister Ha Kim Ngoc said that UNESCO is the first multilateral organization with which Vietnam established relations, stemming from the aspiration for peace that the Vietnamese people always aspire to, opening the first door connecting Vietnam with the world, sharing UNESCO's mission of "building peace in people's minds".

Following the decision to establish the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO in 1977, in 1999 UNESCO chose to establish a Representative Office in Hanoi - the "city for peace" that had just been recognized by UNESCO not long before - which were solid bricks laying the foundation for a sustainable and long-term cooperative relationship.

This is a strategic, correct and timely decision, marking the official presence of UNESCO in Vietnam in particular and the Asia-Pacific region in general, and opening a new and more comprehensive cooperation framework between Vietnam and UNESCO.

With the brilliant achievements over nearly 50 years of cooperation between Vietnam and UNESCO, especially 25 years since the establishment of the UNESCO Office in Hanoi. “Many of the fragrant flowers and sweet fruits that we have reaped are the crystallization of the close cooperation between the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO and the UNESCO Office in Hanoi over many periods”, the Chairman of the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO emphasized.

Mr. Ha Kim Ngoc said that with the support of the UNESCO Hanoi Office, Vietnam has effectively promoted many typical and outstanding programs, thereby bringing UNESCO closer to and more closely connected with the daily lives of Vietnamese people, contributing to improving the quality of material and spiritual life for many families, localities and communities. UNESCO has a special place in the hearts of Vietnamese people.

The President of the National Commission for UNESCO emphasized that in the context of increasing geostrategic competition and security challenges, the role of UNESCO in building peace and cooperation is becoming more important. Vietnam, entering a new era - the era of national development, wishes to continue to bring its partnership with UNESCO to new heights.

To achieve this goal, Vietnam needs to continue to be proactive, responsible, and actively contribute to UNESCO's development strategy; integrate UNESCO programs into national policies, especially on preserving and promoting cultural values ​​associated with sustainable development, enhancing education, science, and innovation; strengthen sustainable cooperation mechanisms between Vietnam and UNESCO; and optimize resources from localities, businesses, and communities for UNESCO's work.

Delegates attending the program took a souvenir photo. (Photo: Nguyen Hong)

UNESCO accompanies and supports Vietnam in all fields

Representing the leaders of the Sub-Committees of the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO, Mr. Bui The Duy, alternate member of the Party Central Committee, Deputy Minister of Science and Technology, commented that UNESCO has accompanied and supported Vietnam in all fields such as education, science, culture and information.

The Deputy Minister emphasized that in the field of natural sciences, Vietnam-UNESCO cooperation has achieved many important achievements. Typical examples include the establishment of a second-class international science center for mathematics and physics in Vietnam, serving research and training in advanced science and technology, or the construction and conservation of biosphere reserves and global geoparks, demonstrating Vietnam's commitment to protecting the environment and biodiversity.

Vietnam highly appreciates UNESCO's support in promoting recommendations on open science and ethics in artificial intelligence, helping Vietnam approach international standards in science and technology development. The leader of the Ministry of Science and Technology also expressed Vietnam's desire to continue cooperating with UNESCO in research and development programs, aiming at practical and sustainable values ​​for the community.

Vietnam is a strategic, responsible and trustworthy partner of UNESCO.

Speaking at the ceremony, Assistant Director-General for External Relations and African Priorities Firmin Edouard Matoko also said that the establishment of the UNESCO Office in Hanoi was a historic decision, bringing about great contributions over the past part of a century in Vietnam; on behalf of the UNESCO Director-General, he expressed the great support and active cooperation of many Vietnamese agencies. “I would also like to express my gratitude to Hanoi for being the location of the UNESCO Office in Vietnam and for facilitating many UNESCO initiatives to be developed here,” said Mr. Firmin Edouard Matoko.

He emphasized that Vietnam is a pioneer in promoting UNESCO's missions, and is present in all important collective decision-making processes through the Organization's key governance mechanisms. On this occasion, Mr. Matoko also expressed his gratitude for the great support and active cooperation of agencies, departments and localities of Vietnam, especially the generations of leaders of the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO, pledging to continue to closely cooperate with Vietnam in all professional fields and through creative initiatives to meet educational needs, reduce disaster risks and turn culture into a driving force for sustainable development.

On this occasion, in recognition of the contributions of Mr. Edouard Matoko, Assistant Director General of UNESCO in charge of Africa and External Relations, the Hanoi People's Committee conferred the title of honorary citizen on him. The Assistant Director General has made contributions in various roles to the comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and UNESCO, including supporting Hanoi to be recognized as a City for Peace and a Creative City. He has also shown great interest and support for the dossier to preserve the World Heritage site of Thang Long Imperial Citadel since its recognition.

Expressing his honor to receive the title of Honorary Citizen, as well as meeting his long-time friends, Mr. Firmin Edouard Matoko was extremely happy to witness with his own eyes the great achievements of the Vietnam-UNESCO partnership in recent times. It is a strategic, responsible and trustworthy partnership built on Vietnam's unwavering commitment to multilateralism and on the shared belief that education, science and culture are the foundation for building a more inclusive and sustainable society.

Ceremony to award honorary citizenship of Hanoi to Mr. Firmin Edouard Matoko. (Photo: Nguyen Hong)

Delegates attending the Celebration Ceremony all expressed the same opinion that the past 25 years are not only a proud journey for the UNESCO Hanoi Office, but also a testament to the effective cooperation between the UNESCO Hanoi Office and the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO, making an important and meaningful contribution to the common effort to strengthen Vietnam-UNESCO cooperation.

We believe that in the next 25 years, the UNESCO Hanoi Office will contribute even more, helping to enhance bilateral cooperation and continue to be one of the key factors ensuring the success of UNESCO's activities in Vietnam.

In 1999, the UNESCO Office in Vietnam was established, further strengthening the cooperative relationship between the two sides. During that time, with a common commitment to promote culture, science and education as the foundation, driving force and goal of sustainable development, UNESCO's support has made significant contributions to the sustainable socio-economic development of Vietnam.

Vietnam is a typical model of effective cooperation, an active member state and constantly promoting relations with UNESCO. 2024 marks the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the UNESCO Office in Vietnam, affirming the good cooperation between UNESCO and Vietnam at the national level.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/van-phong-unesco-ha-noi-25-nam-dong-hanh-vi-phat-trien-ben-vung-tai-viet-nam-291437.html