Vietnam elected as a member of the World Heritage Committee for the second time

News from the Department of Cultural Heritage on the evening of November 22 said that Vietnam was elected to become a member of the World Heritage Committee for the 2023-2027 term with 121/171 valid votes.

Vietnamese delegation at the 24th session of the World Heritage Convention General Assembly - Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The voting took place within the framework of the 24th session of the General Assembly of Member States of the Convention for the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage (World Heritage Convention) held on November 22 in Paris, France.

Vietnam's votes ranked highest in the group of 4 Asia-Pacific regions, and ranked 3rd out of 9 countries elected in 5 regions.

Previously, in 2013, with the trust of member countries, Vietnam participated for the first time as a member of the World Heritage Committee for the 2013-2017 term. During this term, Vietnam made positive contributions.

Good news continues

According to the Department of Cultural Heritage, the World Heritage Committee is one of the most important executive bodies of UNESCO, with the right to decide on key issues related to the recognition of world cultural and natural heritages; review and evaluate the conservation status of world heritages globally; decide on policies, budgets, guidelines, and development orientations of the World Heritage Convention.

Therefore, the election to become one of the 21 member countries of the World Heritage Committee is always difficult and highly competitive.

Previously, Vietnam received good news such as: assuming the role of Vice President of the UNESCO General Assembly; Da Lat and Hoi An cities joining the Creative Cities Network...

Opportunity for Vietnam to contribute to world culture

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ha Kim Ngoc - Chairman of the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO, head of the Vietnamese delegation attending the meeting - assessed that this result is important in many aspects, as this is the second time Vietnam has assumed a role at the most important cultural executive body of UNESCO.

Winning the election with a high number of votes also demonstrates our prestige in the international arena, the trust and support of the international community for Vietnam's ability to contribute and its management capacity in global multilateral institutions; and acknowledges Vietnam's practical contributions in relations with UNESCO, in preserving, conserving and promoting the value of heritage in Vietnam and in the world.

Ambassador Le Thi Hong Van - Head of the Permanent Delegation of Vietnam to UNESCO - emphasized: By participating for the first time in five of UNESCO's top management mechanisms at the same time, Vietnam has the opportunity to continue to contribute more proactively and positively to UNESCO's major programs and orientations in general and on culture in particular, raising awareness of the importance of heritage.

As a member of the World Heritage Committee for the 2023-2027 term, Vietnam will have favorable conditions to further contribute to the completion and implementation of the goals and priorities of the World Heritage Convention, and share experiences in harmoniously handling the relationship between conservation and development of world heritages in Vietnam...

Tuoitre.vn