Reporter (PV):

Deputy Minister Ngo Le Van: This is a resolution proposed at the initiative of Vietnam, with the co-sponsorship of 71 countries, emphasizing the key role of culture as the foundation of identity, a source of innovation, a pillar of sustainable development and response to the challenges of the times. The resolution calls on the UN to launch an international decade to create a fundamental change in the 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.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ngo Le Van speaks at the 43rd UNESCO General Assembly. Photo: TRA NGUYEN

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.

PV:

Deputy Minister Ngo Le Van: The initiative is a concrete step contributing to the implementation of the Party and State's 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 No. 59-NQ/TW dated January 24, 2025 of the Politburo on international integration in the new situation.

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

PV:

Deputy Minister Ngo Le Van: Vietnam's election as Vice President of the UNESCO General Assembly at the 42nd and 43rd consecutive sessions demonstrates Vietnam's increasing position, prestige and capacity to contribute to global multilateral institutions, while also affirming the support and trust of the international community in Vietnam's proactive role, responsibility and management capacity in global multilateral institutions, especially within the framework of UNESCO.

Vietnamese delegation attending the 43rd UNESCO General Assembly. Photo: TRA NGUYEN

This continues to affirm the correct foreign policy of the Party and State on multilateralization, diversification and comprehensive, extensive and effective international integration, the policy of promoting and raising the level of multilateral diplomacy. With the responsibility of Vice President of the 43rd UNESCO General Assembly, Vietnam continues to simultaneously assume the role in 6 key operating mechanisms of UNESCO: Vice President and member of the Intergovernmental Committee of the 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions; Vice President and member of the Intergovernmental Committee of the 2003 Convention on the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage; member of the World Heritage Committee.

Vietnam's role as Vice President of the 43rd UNESCO General Assembly is an opportunity to continue to contribute more proactively, positively and substantially to international issues that UNESCO is concerned about, as well as to promote UNESCO's major programs and orientations in the fields of education, culture, science and information and communication, contributing to human civilization; at the same time, Vietnam has the opportunity to take advantage of UNESCO's knowledge, ideas and initiatives to implement strategic resolutions, serving the cause of national construction and development in an era of prosperity and wealth.

PV:

    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/van-hoa/doi-song/van-hoa-la-tru-cot-cua-phat-trien-ben-vung-1011265