Opening of the International Conference "Promoting the value of UNESCO titles for sustainable development in Vietnam"

On the morning of July 3, the international conference "Promoting the value of UNESCO titles for sustainable development in Vietnam" was held in Ninh Binh, attracting the participation of many domestic and foreign delegates.

The conference was organized by the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO and the Ninh Binh Provincial People's Committee. The event was attended by leaders of UNESCO, leaders of the UNESCO National Commissions of several countries in the Asia-Pacific region, leaders of ministries, sectors, provinces, cities and localities with UNESCO titles, and 200 delegates who are domestic and international experts and scholars.

Speaking at the opening of the Conference, Mr. Nguyen Van Hung - Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, expressed his pleasure to welcome delegates to attend the International Conference on promoting the value of UNESCO titles for sustainable development in Vietnam.

Mr. Nguyen Van Hung - Member of the Party Central Committee, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, spoke at the Conference. (Photo: Nguyen Viet)

Minister Nguyen Van Hung affirmed that sustainable, creative and inclusive development has become the goal of many countries in the world, and Vietnam is no exception to that common trajectory.

Vietnam has identified sustainable development on the basis of taking culture as the spiritual foundation of society, both a goal and an endogenous strength, an important driving force for national development.

During the 47 years since officially becoming a member of UNESCO in 1976, Vietnamese people have promoted that mindset and brought that awareness into all activities and cooperation with partners, especially with UNESCO.

The Vietnam-UNESCO relationship is a model of effective cooperation, where Vietnam and UNESCO are like-minded friends with the same vision and are both very persistent and steadfast in fulfilling their commitments.

Vietnam has ratified and participated in four UNESCO Conventions on cultural heritage; five times served as a member of the UNESCO Executive Board, a member of the World Heritage Committee (term 2013-2017), a member of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (term 2006-2010 and 2022-2026), a member of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions (term 2021-2025); and was one of the first countries to organize commemorative activities towards the Global Celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the UNESCO World Heritage Convention.

According to Minister Nguyen Van Hung, this is a vivid proof of Vietnam being a proactive and responsible member of UNESCO, actively contributing to the success of UNESCO's frameworks and activities, especially in creating, dialogue, and cooperation for peace and development.

Mr. Hung emphasized: “With its vast, rich and unique cultural and natural resources, Vietnam has so far been recognized by UNESCO as having 8 World Cultural and Natural Heritages, 15 Intangible Cultural Heritages, 9 Documentary Heritages, 3 Global Geoparks and 11 World Biosphere Reserves.

It can be said that the cultural and natural heritages of Vietnam recognized by UNESCO have helped to arouse pride and strongly encourage heritage-owning communities, local authorities, and the whole society to pay attention, voluntarily and proactively participate, contribute to protecting heritage, promote the introduction and promotion of local cultural heritage, and create more motivation in the process of socio-economic development.

The Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism affirmed that the organization of today's International Conference demonstrates the most active support of Vietnam's responsibility, along with the international community, in protecting cultural and natural heritages recognized by UNESCO for sustainable development according to UNESCO's perspective.

Deputy Foreign Minister Ha Kim Ngoc – Chairman of the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO speaking at the Conference. (Photo: Nguyen Viet)

At the opening session, Deputy Foreign Minister Ha Kim Ngoc - Chairman of the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO, said that during his visit to Vietnam in September 2022, UNESCO Director-General Audey Azonlay expressed his feelings and very good impressions of Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex - a cultural and natural heritage that harmonizes economic development and sustainable tourism with nature conservation, linking the role of women to the heritage, and finding livelihoods for people from the heritage.

According to the UNESCO Director General, the success story of Trang An-Ninh Binh has inspired other member countries.

Chairman of the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO Ha Kim Ngoc said that Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex is not the only success story, but there are many other lessons learned in promoting the value of 57 titles recognized by UNESCO, to serve sustainable development in Vietnam.

Mr. Ha Kim Ngoc affirmed that in recent years, the work of preserving and promoting the value of UNESCO titles in Vietnam has achieved many important achievements. UNESCO titles are important components in forming the brand of each locality and greatly contributing to socio-economic development through attracting tourists, transforming economic development structure, and green growth model. Culture has truly been the foundation of education. Science and technology are the spearhead of sustainable development.

Besides the success stories, some localities that own the title are still struggling with the challenges between conservation and development; economic development is sometimes not in sync with conservation and promotion of the value of the UNESCO title.

In that spirit and to implement the Resolution of the 13th National Congress on continuing to strongly innovate thinking, building and synchronously perfecting institutions for sustainable development in economics, politics, culture, society, environment... to unleash all potentials and resources, creating new momentum for the country's rapid and sustainable development, the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO together with Ninh Binh organized this Conference to comprehensively and comprehensively evaluate and summarize experiences in promoting all UNESCO titles in Vietnam to contribute to the country's sustainable development.

The conference is of great significance and is highly appreciated by UNESCO leaders as the first initiative in the world to cover all UNESCO titles in one country, demonstrating Vietnam's respect and commitment to UNESCO in preserving and maintaining cultural values, promoting education and science at different levels.

Conference scene. (Photo: Nguyen Viet)

Chairman of the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO Ha Kim Ngoc proposed that the Conference focus on:

Firstly , lessons learned and sharing from localities about success stories in promoting UNESCO titles for sustainable development.

Second , the existing challenges that many localities are facing in preserving and promoting UNESCO titles. For example, tourism has become a key economic sector in Vietnam and localities with UNESCO titles are all tourist attractions.

However, the rapid development of the tourism industry can also threaten the outstanding global values, integrity and authenticity of heritages, requiring us to promote sustainable tourism development, balancing economic benefits with heritage conservation and environmental protection.

Third, valuable typical lessons, creative solutions to serve local sustainable development and even mistakes, sometimes very expensive, will be valuable experiences for localities that are in the process of researching and building UNESCO nomination dossiers or localities that wish to own more UNESCO titles.

Deputy Minister Ha Kim Ngoc said: “Vietnam has made significant progress in promoting sustainable development, but we still have a long way to go.

In addition to our own efforts, we need to promote international cooperation and at this International Conference, we also wish to listen to, want to hear the opinions and lessons learned from domestic researchers and UNESCO to contribute to the goals of the global sustainable development program."

Mr. Firmin Edouard Matoko - Assistant Director-General of UNESCO on African priorities and foreign relations, speaking at the event. (Photo: Nguyen Viet)

Delighted to represent UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay to return to Vietnam and Ninh Binh province to attend the Conference, Mr. Firmin Edouard Matoko - Assistant Director-General of UNESCO on African priorities and foreign relations, affirming that Vietnam is a model of active and effective cooperation with UNESCO.

According to Mr. Firmin Edouard Matoko, Vietnam joined UNESCO in 1976, right after the country was reunified and one year before joining the United Nations. Since then and over the past 47 years, Vietnam and UNESCO have built a strong relationship based on a shared belief in the essential importance of education, science and culture as key drivers for sustainable development.

In the context of rapid economic growth, Vietnam has based its development model on huge investments in education, while making tangible commitments to protect heritage as a pillar of identity and social cohesion during this period.

As a member of the UNESCO Secretariat, Mr. Firmin Edouard Matoko is very proud to see that UNESCO's titles have contributed to and left their mark on Vietnam's socio-economic development.

Mr. Firmin Edouard Matoko said: “Vietnam today plays an increasingly important role in UNESCO. Vietnam becoming an active member of the UNESCO Executive Board is a typical example.

Over the years, Vietnamese representatives have actively and responsibly participated in all collective decision-making processes of the organization… With its rich history and culture, Vietnam can share experiences and propose solutions to a number of global issues.”

The Assistant Director-General of UNESCO said that UNESCO is ready to strengthen cooperation with Vietnam, including but not limited to implementing the Memorandum of Understanding signed between Vietnam and UNESCO during Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's visit to UNESCO in 2021; committed to working closely with the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO and the Permanent Mission of Vietnam to UNESCO to achieve common goals.

Chairman of Ninh Binh Provincial People's Committee Pham Quang Ngoc speaks at the opening session. (Photo: Nguyen Viet)

Sharing at the opening session, Chairman of Ninh Binh Provincial People's Committee Pham Quang Ngoc also expressed his joy at welcoming leaders of Central Committees and branches; international guests; leaders of provinces and cities; experts, scientists and delegates to attend the International Conference "Promoting the value of UNESCO titles for sustainable development in Vietnam".

The Chairman of the Ninh Binh Provincial People's Committee said that the province has done a good job in managing, preserving and promoting the global values ​​of World Heritage, harmoniously combining environmental protection, preserving traditional cultural values ​​with economic development of tourism, ensuring the interests of the people, businesses and the State. This was recognized and highly appreciated by the Director General of UNESCO at the 50th Anniversary of the Convention on the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, held here in 2022.

Mr. Pham Quang Ngoc affirmed that coordinating with the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO to co-chair the International Conference "Promoting the value of UNESCO titles for sustainable development in Vietnam" is an honor and an opportunity for Ninh Binh to introduce the land rich in cultural and natural values ​​and fine traditions of the people, the land of the Ancient Capital.

This is also an opportunity for Ninh Binh and other provinces with world heritages in particular, and Vietnam in general, to promote exchanges, cooperation, and sharing of domestic and international experiences in preserving and promoting the value of UNESCO titles.

Ninh Binh Province hopes that the results of this important Conference will be a scientific and practical basis for proposing to the Central Party Committee, the National Assembly, the Government and the Central Ministries and Branches the standard frameworks, legal frameworks and specific mechanisms and policies for the heritage cities of the Ancient Capital, as a basis for strategic planning and appropriate policies to harmoniously handle the conservation and development of this type of urban area with unique and special values, creating a strong driving force to promote rapid and sustainable development.

Some photos at the opening session : (Photo: Nguyen Viet)

The performances were performed by traditional artists to welcome the Conference.

Conference delegates take souvenir photo.

The conference aims to summarize and evaluate the practice of preserving and promoting the UNESCO title for sustainable development in Vietnam; share and refer to international experiences in preserving and promoting the UNESCO title for sustainable development; propose solutions to mobilize resources and people's participation; and make recommendations for preserving and promoting the UNESCO title for sustainable development in Vietnam.

The conference took place on July 3, including three thematic sessions: Practices in promoting the UNESCO title to serve sustainable development in Vietnam; International experience in promoting the UNESCO title to serve sustainable development; Solutions to mobilize resources in promoting the value of the UNESCO title to serve sustainable development.

Next, on July 4, the delegates will visit the Trang An World Heritage Site, meet and exchange with representatives of the local community and visit Tam Chuc Scenic Landscape Complex.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/khai-mac-hoi-nghi-quoc-te-phat-huy-gia-tri-cac-danh-hieu-unesco-phuc-vu-phat-trien-ben-vung-tai-viet-nam-233201.html