Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Convention on the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage in Ninh Binh

On the morning of September 6, 2022, at Bai Dinh International Convention Center (Gia Sinh commune, Gia Vien district, Ninh Binh province), the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism coordinated with the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO and the People's Committee of Ninh Binh province to co-organize the 50th Anniversary of the Convention on the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage (1972 Convention), with the theme "50 years to come - World Heritage, resources for self-reliance, humanity and innovation" in the context that countries are stepping up efforts to implement sustainable development goals and enhance capacity to respond to global challenges, especially climate change and pandemics.

National and international delegates attended the Celebration

Attending the ceremony were Mr. Vuong Dinh Hue, Politburo member, Chairman of the National Assembly; Mr. Nguyen Trong Nghia, Secretary of the Party Central Committee, Head of the Central Propaganda Department; Mr. Nguyen Van Hung, Member of the Party Central Committee, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism; Ms. Audrey Azoulay, General Director of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO); leaders of the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO; ambassadors of countries that are members of the World Heritage Committee. On the side of Ninh Binh province, attending the ceremony were Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu Ha, Member of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Head of the National Assembly Delegation of Ninh Binh province; Mr. Pham Quang Ngoc, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Ninh Binh Provincial People's Committee; leaders of the Provincial People's Committee, leaders of departments, branches, sectors, unions, leaders of the People's Committees of districts and cities, representatives of religious dignitaries, representatives of localities with heritages and communities in the Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex, Ninh Binh province.

Special art program to celebrate the Anniversary Ceremony

At the ceremony, Comrade Pham Quang Ngoc, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Ninh Binh Provincial People's Committee, delivered a welcome speech to the distinguished domestic and international guests attending the Anniversary Ceremony in Ninh Binh, and affirmed the good values ​​of the ancient capital, gentle, friendly, elegant and hospitable. Ninh Binh is the place where an important historical event took place, marking the establishment of the first legitimate centralized feudal state in Vietnam. The imprints of the Dinh - Tien Le dynasties still exist today and are being clarified by archaeologists, gradually adding outstanding cultural values, deepening the value of the ancient capital, a place with a rich cultural tradition, thousands of years of history and amazing natural landscapes. The Anniversary Ceremony is also a great opportunity for the Ninh Binh Party Committee and people to promote and introduce the potential, strengths, cultural and natural heritage of the world of Ninh Binh province to domestic and international friends; At the same time, raise public awareness and promote the preservation of cultural and natural heritages of Vietnam in particular and the world in general.

Comrade Pham Quang Ngoc - Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the People's Committee of Ninh Binh province spoke at the Commemoration Ceremony

Comrade Nguyen Van Hung, Member of the Party Central Committee, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, emphasized the role and importance of the 1972 World Heritage Convention at the ceremony. This is the first and only convention that combines the protection of cultural and natural heritage, has a profound influence and is considered by member countries as a guideline in the protection and management of world heritage. The convention encourages the integration of heritage protection into regional planning programs and local development plans; research and application of modern technologies in the conservation and promotion of heritage values ​​to bring benefits to the community, taking the community as the center of heritage protection. The Minister also requested that provinces with recognized world heritage sites and those building dossiers need to clearly demonstrate their roles and responsibilities in continuing to manage, preserve and promote the values ​​of the heritage sites, and specify measures to implement the memorandum of understanding on cooperation between Vietnam and UNESCO, aiming to preserve and conserve heritage sites for future generations.

Speaking at the ceremony, UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay affirmed: “The ceremony is held with a “dual” purpose. That is to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the World Heritage Convention and the 35th anniversary of Vietnam’s implementation of this convention. Over the past 35 years, Vietnam has had 8 heritages listed as World Heritage.” Ms. Audrey Azoulay acknowledged the efforts of the Party Committee and people of Ninh Binh province in smoothly combining the goal of heritage conservation with socio-economic development and sustainable tourism at Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex. Heritages are the link between the past and the future, so culture and heritage must be placed in their inherent importance. Cultural policies must be considered a strong lever for national actions, as in Vietnam and especially in the exemplary model of Trang An.

Ms. Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO, speaking at the Celebration

Within the framework of the Celebration program, there were also activities of the World Heritage photo exhibition in Vietnam, the visit and working program of Ms. Audrey Azoulay, Director General of UNESCO at Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex, Ninh Binh province. The Department of Culture and Sports of Ninh Binh province coordinated with relevant agencies, units and localities to organize many propaganda activities about the purpose and significance of the 50th Anniversary of the Convention on the Protection of World Cultural and Natural Heritage in localities in the province.

Delegates attending the Celebration visited the photo exhibition "World Heritage in Vietnam"

The Celebration Ceremony demonstrates the role, contribution and responsibility of Vietnam, together with the international community, to honor and further promote the value of the Convention, widely promote Vietnam's achievements in preserving and promoting world heritage to UNESCO member countries, and at the same time strengthen Vietnam - UNESCO cooperation in the coming time.

Department of Cultural Heritage Management

Source: https://vhtt.ninhbinh.gov.vn/vi/su-kien/to-chuc-le-ky-niem-50-nam-cong-uoc-ve-bao-ve-di-san-van-hoa-va-thien-nhien-the-gioi-tai-ninh-binh-937.html