Vietnam elected for the third time as a member of the Intergovernmental Committee of the UNESCO Convention 2005

From June 18-20 at UNESCO headquarters (Paris, France), the 10th session of the General Assembly of the 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions took place, marking Vietnam's re-election for the second consecutive term as a member of the Intergovernmental Committee of the Convention.

Vietnam is currently a member of the Intergovernmental Committee of the 2005 Convention for the 2021-2025 term. At this General Assembly session, the Convention member states voted to re-elect Vietnam as a member of the Intergovernmental Committee for the 2025-2029 term.

10th Session of the General Assembly of the 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions. (Source: UNESCO)

This is the first case since the 2005 Convention was born that a country has participated in the Intergovernmental Committee for two consecutive terms.

This demonstrates the General Assembly's recognition of Vietnam's efforts and achievements in implementing the 2005 Convention, and demonstrates Vietnam's active contributions and prestige at the United NationsEducational , Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

The 10th session of the General Assembly has special significance as it takes place on the 20th anniversary of the adoption of the 2005 Convention.

Representatives of 157 Member States and the European Union have reviewed the implementation of the Convention since the 9th General Assembly (2023) to date; through the reports of the activities of the Intergovernmental Committee and the Convention Secretariat, the National Periodicals with a record number of 110 reports received in the two years 2023-2024 - the basis for building the Fourth Global Report on Reshaping Cultural Policies for Creativity.

The General Assembly also considered the evaluation of the work of the International Fund for Cultural Diversity, the recommendations of the two International Expert Groups on the digital environment and preferential treatment for developing countries.

Countries spend a lot of time analyzing the effectiveness and roadmap to build a legal instrument (a Protocol) on protecting and promoting the diversity of cultural expressions in the digital environment; agreeing to promptly and effectively implement it.

The Convention addresses the rapid transformation of technology, in particular artificial intelligence, and its implications for the creative cultural industries, artists and cultural workers.

The General Assembly also agreed to promptly revise and update the Convention's Operational Guidelines in the Digital Environment so that countries have a direction for implementation in the coming time.

Dr. Nguyen Phuong Hoa represented Vietnam to speak at the meeting.

Dr. Nguyen Phuong Hoa, Director of the Department of International Cooperation, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism - the national focal point of the 2005 Convention, represented the meeting.

Speaking at the plenary session, Dr. Nguyen Phuong Hoa emphasized that the 2005 Convention, adopted 20 years ago, was a strong act of will and collective effort of international solidarity.

“Cultural expressions are at the core of our identities, representing our communities and our aspirations. Cultural diversity is a common heritage of humanity – to be protected and promoted for present and future generations,” she stressed.

Sharing about Vietnam's efforts in cultural development, Dr. Nguyen Phuong Hoa affirmed that Vietnam's policies always take people as the center, build a healthy cultural environment, nurture creativity, ensure people's rights to enjoy culture, culture is one of the pillars of sustainable development.

“We need to make more efforts to make culture have a strong presence in the global agenda on sustainable development, especially as the world moves towards the post-2030 agenda,” said the Vietnamese representative.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Van Anh, Ambassador, Head of the Permanent Delegation of Vietnam to UNESCO (left) and Dr. Nguyen Phuong Hoa, Director of the Department of International Cooperation, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism at the meeting.

Immediately after the General Assembly session, the 20th Anniversary of the 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions was solemnly and impressively held at UNESCO headquarters.

The event is considered to be of great significance right before the World Conference on Cultural Policy and Sustainable Development (MONDIACULT 2025) takes place in September in Barcelona, ​​Spain.

In particular, within the framework of her upcoming official visit to Vietnam, UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay will attend the Opening Ceremony of the 3rd Da Nang Asian Film Festival (DANAFF) - one of the events nominated by Vietnam to participate in the series of activities and events celebrating the 20th anniversary of the 2005 Convention worldwide.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/viet-nam-lan-thu-ba-trung-cu-thanh-vien-uy-ban-lien-chinh-phu-cong-uoc-unesco-2005-318408.html