Building the 2026-2030 Cooperation Framework and celebrating the 50th anniversary of Vietnam-UNESCO

On the afternoon of November 19, at the headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ngo Le Van, Chairman of the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO, received Mr. Jonathan Wallace Baker, Chief Representative of the UNESCO Office in Vietnam.

Deputy Foreign Minister Ngo Le Van, Chairman of the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO, received Mr. Jonathan Wallace Baker, Chief Representative of the UNESCO Office in Vietnam. (Photo: Quang Hoa)

At the reception, Deputy Minister Ngo Le Van highly appreciated UNESCO's important contributions during the two terms of former Director-General Audrey Azoulay, demonstrated by increasing the Organization's role and prestige in the international arena, becoming a priority partner of the G20 and actively promoting important multilateral processes such as the G7, the Future Summit and many intergovernmental initiatives of global influence.

The Deputy Minister believes that UNESCO, under the leadership of the new Director-General Khaled El-Enany with the vision of “UNESCO for people”, will continue to develop strongly, making substantial contributions to peace , security and sustainable development.

Affirming that Vietnam always attaches importance to multilateralism and the role of UNESCO, the Deputy Minister emphasized that Vietnam is an active and responsible member and a reliable strategic partner of UNESCO. The year 2025 marked many outstanding results: Vietnam was recognized by UNESCO with 06 new titles; visits by former Director-General Audrey Azoulay (June 2025) and new Director-General Khaled El-Enany (April 2025); effective support from the UNESCO Secretariat and UNESCO Office in Hanoi.

Deputy Minister Ngo Le Van said that at the 43rd session of the UNESCO General Conference in Samarkand (Uzbekistan), Vietnam invited the Director-General of UNESCO to make an official visit to Vietnam in 2026, the year marking 50 years of Vietnam's participation in UNESCO (1976-2026), and the Director-General accepted. The Deputy Minister suggested that UNESCO coordinate closely to carefully prepare for this visit and soon complete the Vietnam-UNESCO Cooperation Agreement for the 2026-2030 period, ensuring substantive cooperation content, in line with UNESCO's development strategy and Vietnam's development needs in the new period.

Deputy Minister Ngo Le Van affirmed that Vietnam has always been an active and responsible member and a reliable strategic partner of UNESCO. (Photo: Quang Hoa)

The Deputy Minister asked UNESCO to pay attention to supporting Vietnam in preserving and promoting heritages, especially the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long - Hanoi (restoring Kinh Thien Palace and the main space of Kinh Thien Palace) and the dossiers that are being and will be submitted to UNESCO such as Oc Eo - Ba The, Con Moong Cave, Co Loa, Cu Chi Tunnels, Mo Muong, Vu Quang Biosphere Reserve, Phu Yen Geopark... At the same time, he hoped that UNESCO would continue to accompany Vietnam in implementing the initiative "International Decade of Culture for Sustainable Development 2026-2037" approved by the UNESCO General Assembly.

For his part, Mr. Jonathan Wallace Baker expressed his pleasure in meeting the Deputy Minister again, assessing Vietnam as one of the most active and dynamic members of UNESCO over the past 50 years; a model in building peace in people's minds, the core mission of UNESCO.

He congratulated Vietnam on being elected Vice President of the UNESCO General Assembly for the 2025-2027 term, demonstrating the prestige and appreciation of the international community for Vietnam's contributions.

Mr. Jonathan Baker also appreciated Vietnam's vision and leadership in national development strategies associated with innovation, education, culture, science - technology and digital transformation. During his 23 years working at UNESCO, he assessed that the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO is one of the most effective and closely coordinated Commissions.

At the meeting, Mr. Jonathan Baker highly appreciated Vietnam's vision and leadership in national development strategies associated with innovation, education, culture, science - technology and digital transformation. (Photo: Quang Hoa)

In particular, he was strongly impressed when Vietnam had 06 dossiers registered in 2025, bringing the total number of UNESCO titles of Vietnam to 75, emphasizing that this is an important resource to promote sustainable development, heritage economy, tourism and cultural industries.

Mr. Baker affirmed that the potential for cooperation between Vietnam and UNESCO is still very large, especially in the fields of science, technology, innovation, education and heritage promotion; committed to accompanying Vietnam in implementing strategic resolutions on socio-economic development, aiming for double-digit growth and realizing the 100-year goals.

Regarding the four cooperation proposals from Vietnam, the UNESCO Representative affirmed that the UNESCO Office in Vietnam will closely coordinate in building the 2026-2030 Cooperation Agreement, organizing a series of events to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Vietnam - UNESCO, preparing for the visit of the UNESCO Director-General in 2026 and supporting Vietnam's submissions in the coming time.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/xay-dung-khung-hop-tac-2026-2030-va-ky-niem-50-nam-viet-nam-unesco-334990.html