Vietnam affirms its active and responsible role at UNESCO

Deputy Foreign Minister Ngo Le Van speaks at the opening session of the meeting. (Photo: VNA)

According to a VNA correspondent in France, citing a source from the Vietnamese Delegation to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the 221st session of the UNESCO Executive Board opened in Paris on April 7 with the participation of 58 member countries and more than 100 observer countries.

Taking place from April 7-17, the meeting focused on discussing many important strategic issues and orientations for the organization's activities, while also conducting steps to select candidates for the position of new General Director.

Deputy Foreign Minister Ngo Le Van led the Vietnamese delegation to attend and delivered an important speech at the opening session.

Also attending were Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Quang Ninh province Nguyen Thi Hanh, Permanent Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Bac Giang province Mai Son, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Hai Duong province Nguyen Minh Hung, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Thai Binh province Pham Van Nghiem, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Bac Ninh province Le Xuan Loi, Ambassador - Head of the Vietnamese Delegation to UNESCO Nguyen Thi Van Anh, Secretary General of the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO - Director of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Cultural Diplomacy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Hong Van and leaders of local departments, branches, the Secretariat of the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO, and a group of Vietnamese experts.

Deputy Foreign Minister Ngo Le Van talks with UNESCO Director General Audrey Azoulay. (Photo: VNA)

Speaking at the opening session, Deputy Foreign Minister Ngo Le Van emphasized that the world is in a period of epochal transition with many fluctuations, challenges and complex developments for peace, security and sustainable development; in that context, UNESCO's mission of "building peace in the minds of people" has become more urgent than ever.

On the occasion of the 80th anniversary of its establishment - a milestone affirming the vision and sustainable values of the organization, the Deputy Minister highly appreciated the leading role of the Director-General and the efforts of the UNESCO Secretariat in realizing this mission.

He affirmed that Vietnam will continue to be a reliable and responsible partner, proactively accompanying and actively contributing to the organization's common programs and goals - exactly as the message that General Secretary To Lam emphasized during his official visit to UNESCO on October 7, 2024.

Proposing that UNESCO continue to promote its leading role in key pillars of cooperation: education, culture and science, Deputy Minister Ngo Le Van emphasized the spirit of lifelong learning, and shared that Vietnam identifies education as the key to realizing the country's development aspirations in the new era.

He proposed that UNESCO continue to increase support for countries to build comprehensive education systems and share the tuition-free policy for public school students in Vietnam from the 2025-2026 school year as a strong commitment to investing in the future.

Deputy Foreign Minister Ngo Le Van and local leaders met with UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay. (Photo: VNA)

Regarding culture, the Deputy Minister called for promoting intercultural dialogue, developing creative industries and protecting cultural diversity. In the field of science, he welcomed efforts to perfect the legal framework on artificial intelligence (AI), promote science diplomacy, enhance cooperation on science and technology and new technology governance.

Deputy Minister Ngo Le Van announced that the Vietnamese Government has issued a Resolution on breakthroughs in science, technology, innovation and national digital transformation, considering this a top priority breakthrough.

On this occasion, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam and leaders of the localities of Quang Ninh, Bac Giang, Hai Duong, Thai Binh, Bac Ninh, and Hanoi also had meetings and worked with UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay, UNESCO Deputy Director-General Xing Qu, Assistant Director-General for Culture Ernesto Ottone and Heads of delegations from several countries, to promote bilateral and multilateral cooperation.

UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay and UNESCO leaders expressed their particular joy and impression of the very successful outcome of the historic, effective and substantive visit of General Secretary To Lam to UNESCO Headquarters in October 2024, bringing the Vietnam-UNESCO partnership to a new height.

The UNESCO Director-General assessed Vietnam as a model of “comprehensive, substantive, and effective” cooperation with UNESCO and affirmed that Vietnam is one of the most active members of the organization.

UNESCO leaders and heads of delegations of member countries highly appreciated the close and effective cooperative relationship between Vietnam and UNESCO over the past half century; acknowledged Vietnam's practical, responsible and increasingly extensive contributions to the organization's common activities, especially as a country holding many important positions in UNESCO's key executive bodies.

Deputy Foreign Minister Ngo Le Van and leaders of Quang Ninh, Bac Giang, Hai Duong, and Hanoi met with Director of the Lazare Assomo World Heritage Center. (Photo: VNA)

Countries consider Vietnam a typical model in harmonizing cultural heritage preservation with sustainable economic development.

Deputy Minister Ngo Le Van and leaders of relevant localities chaired working sessions with Director of the World Heritage Center Lazare Assomo, Director General of the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) Maria-Laure Lavenir, and members of the World Heritage Committee to discuss strengthening cooperation in the protection and promotion of world heritage values in Vietnam, especially promoting the implementation of the decision of the 46th Session of the World Heritage Committee regarding the dossier of the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, as well as introducing the outstanding values of the Yen Tu-Vinh Nghiem-Con Son and Kiep Bac Monuments and Landscape Complex, which is expected to be considered at the 47th Session of the World Heritage Committee in July 2025.

With the desire to actively and responsibly contribute to the cause of preserving and promoting human cultural values, the Deputy Foreign Minister requested the leaders and the UNESCO Secretariat and member countries to continue to pay attention, advise and support Vietnam's new heritage dossiers.

These are heritages imbued with deep history, culture and national identity such as: Yen Tu-Vinh Nghiem-Con Son, Kiep Bac relics and scenic spots complex, Oc Eo-Ba The archaeological site; Con Moong Cave; Cu Chi Tunnels; Co Loa Citadel; Dong Ho folk paintings; Cheo art; Mo Muong; Binh Dinh martial arts; Ho Chi Minh City joining the Creative City network; celebrity Le Quy Don...

UNESCO leaders and member countries expressed their willingness to accompany, provide technical support and promote the process of reviewing heritage dossiers proposed by Vietnam, thereby joining hands to spread the sustainable human values of humanity.

On this occasion, Deputy Minister Ngo Le Van conveyed the invitation of the Chairman of the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO and Permanent Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu to UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay and Director of the World Heritage Center Lazare Assomo to pay an official visit to Vietnam.

The UNESCO Executive Board meeting will continue until April 17 with an agenda spanning all areas of education, culture, science, human resources, management and external relations.

At this session, Vietnam's dossiers expected to be considered include: The dossier "The Collection of Musician Hoang Van" to be recognized as a world documentary heritage; recommendation for the 43rd UNESCO General Assembly to issue a Resolution on jointly celebrating the 300th anniversary of the birth of the famous person Le Quy Don.

Also within the framework of the meeting, on April 9, 2025 at UNESCO Headquarters, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO, the People's Committee of Bac Ninh province and the Vietnamese Delegation to UNESCO will coordinate to organize the event "Vietnam - Cultural quintessence and aspirations to rise."

The event aims to spread the unique cultural values of the Kinh Bac region and convey the image of a Vietnam that is rising strongly after 80 years of independence and more than 40 years of Doi Moi, firmly entering the era of national rise for strong, prosperous development and worthy contributions to world politics, the international economy and human civilization./.