Affirming Vietnam's core and leading role in shaping global development priorities

Deputy Foreign Minister Ngo Le Van delivers a policy speech at the plenary session of the meeting. (Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

On the occasion of the 43rd General Assembly of the United Nations Educational , Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) recently approving Vietnam's Initiative to propose the United Nations to launch the International Decade of Culture for Sustainable Development, Deputy Foreign Minister Ngo Le Van gave an interview to the press about the content and significance of this initiative.

Reporter: The 43rd UNESCO General Assembly has just approved Vietnam's initiative to propose the United Nations to launch the International Decade of Culture for Sustainable Development. Could you please share the content of this initiative?

Deputy Foreign Minister Ngo Le Van: The 43rd session of the UNESCO General Assembly has just passed a Resolution proposing that the United Nations consider launching an International Decade of Culture for Sustainable Development at the initiative of Vietnam, with the co-sponsorship of 71 countries.

The Resolution emphasizes the key role of culture as the foundation of identity, a resource for innovation, a pillar of sustainable development and response to the challenges of the times.

On that basis, the Resolution calls on the United Nations to launch an International Decade to create a fundamental change in awareness of the role of culture and promote actions at all levels to mobilize resources, increase investment in heritage education, cultural and artistic education, cultural industries and creative economy associated with sustainable livelihoods, enhance equal access to culture, intercultural dialogue, digital culture, application of cultural knowledge in climate change adaptation, environmental protection... towards a sustainable and prosperous future for all people.

Nearly 40 years after the International Decade for Cultural Development 1988-1997, this is the first time UNESCO has agreed to launch a new International Decade associated with culture. The initiative was highly appreciated by the Director-General of UNESCO as well as member countries because it is consistent with UNESCO's strategy and current common concerns, promoting UNESCO's pioneering role in making culture an independent pillar contributing to sustainable development in each country and globally, a driving force for maintaining peace, promoting creative industries, protecting cultural diversity and inclusive economic growth, and social cohesion.

Vietnamese delegation attending the meeting. (Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

In the coming time, we and the co-sponsoring countries will continue to submit the Resolution to the United Nations General Assembly for consideration and official approval, so that the International Decade of Culture for Sustainable Development for the period 2027-2036 can be soon launched. UNESCO will be the organization in charge of implementation, coordinating with other relevant organizations in the United Nations system and other partners.

Reporter: Could you please evaluate the significance of this initiative?

Deputy Foreign Minister Ngo Le Van: The initiative is a concrete step contributing to the implementation of the Party and State's guidelines and policies on valuing culture, cultural diplomacy and international integration in the new situation. Accordingly, it emphasizes that culture is the foundation, resource, endogenous strength and a great driving force, a regulatory system for sustainable social development, promoting the revival and development of Vietnamese culture in the new era, focusing on promoting and elevating cultural diplomacy, internationalizing culture imbued with Vietnamese national identity and nationalizing world civilization into Vietnam, contributing to human civilization.

The initiative was proposed and implemented on the solid foundation of Vietnam's foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralization and diversification, demonstrating Vietnam's proactive, positive thinking and deep integration for the common interests of the international community.

The initiative is an important contribution demonstrating Vietnam's core and leading role in shaping global development priorities in the spirit of Resolution 59-NQ/TW - Vietnam is an active and responsible partner, proactively contributing, participating in building, shaping, and ready to responsibly contribute to the common work of the international community.

This is the first large-scale initiative that we have initiated at UNESCO since many years of participating in the organization. If approved by the United Nations, this will not only be our strategic contribution to UNESCO, affirming UNESCO's leading role in the cultural field, but also an initiative bearing the Vietnamese mark at the global level, demonstrating our efforts and commitment to join hands with the international community to create a peaceful, prosperous and humane future.

Reporter: Vietnam was elected as Vice President of the 43rd UNESCO General Assembly. Could you please tell us your assessment of this?

Deputy Foreign Minister Ngo Le Van: At the 43rd session of the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) taking place in Samarkand (Uzbekistan), Vietnam was re-elected by member countries as Vice President of the session.

Nhandan.vn

Source: https://nhandan.vn/khang-dinh-vai-tro-nong-cot-dan-dat-cua-viet-nam-trong-dinh-hinh-cac-uu-tien-phat-trien-toan-cau-post921789.html