At the meeting, Minister Bui Thanh Son emphasized that Vietnam will continue to participate actively and responsibly and fulfill its international commitments to make more substantial and effective contributions to the common work of UNESCO. In that spirit, Vietnam will run for the World Heritage Committee for the 2023-2027 term to work with other countries to perfect policies and promote measures to protect world cultural and natural heritage; hoping to receive support from UNESCO.

UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son at UNESCO headquarters in Paris, France. Photo: VNA

Minister Bui Thanh Son requested the Director-General and UNESCO to continue to actively support and assist Vietnam more effectively in the process of integration and development through specific activities such as: allocating more resources to implement the MOU on cooperation between Vietnam and UNESCO for the period 2021-2025; providing policy advice, sharing experiences and practical lessons for Vietnam to restore socio-economic development, in which, paying attention to handling social, cultural and educational issues; considering supporting the enhancement of education, raising awareness, promoting cooperation on sustainable development, climate change adaptation, cooperation on basic science, sustainable water resources management, marine scientific research, conservation and promotion of heritage values, etc.; I hope that the General Director and the Secretariat will pay attention to and support the construction, consultation and support of new heritage dossiers of Vietnam such as Ha Long Bay - Cat Ba archipelago, Yen Tu - Con Son - Kiep Bac relic and scenic complex, Oc Eo - Ba The archaeological site, Con Moong, intangible cultural heritage dossiers of the Sam Mountain Lady Festival, Dong Ho folk painting art... as well as support the preservation and promotion of the values ​​of world heritages recognized by UNESCO, including the Project to preserve, restore and promote the values ​​of the Central Area of ​​the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long - Hanoi.

The UNESCO Director-General affirmed that Vietnam has always been a responsible member, one of the leading countries in effectively implementing UNESCO's programs and activities; highly appreciated Vietnam's important and effective contributions to the organization's common work as a member of the Executive Council 2021-2025, Vice President of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, and member of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage; at the same time, emphasized that Vietnam is a successful example in connecting economic and cultural development.

Ms. Audrey Azoulay agreed with Minister Bui Thanh Son's ideas on the direction of cooperation in the coming time, affirming that UNESCO will continue to support Vietnam in the fields of education, culture, science and information-communication as well as support and advocate the conservation and promotion of heritage values, sustainable development of biosphere reserves in Vietnam; committed to supporting Vietnam in building and promoting heritage dossiers proposed by the Minister as well as supporting the conservation and promotion of the values ​​of world heritages recognized by UNESCO, including the Project to preserve, restore and promote the values ​​of the Central Area of ​​the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long - Hanoi.

PEACE