FEALAC network of cultural cities to be set up

Thua Thien-Hue (VNA) - The central province of Thua Thien-Hue hosted the first meeting of the project on a network of cultural cities in the framework of the Forum of East Asia-Latin America Cooperation (FEALAC) on April 29, drawing nearly 100 representatives from 17 countries.

FEALAC is a cooperation mechanism gathering 36 nations in East Asia and Latin America with the aim to establish an official and regular dialogue channel for the two regions.

The project’s objective is to intensify international cooperation at the local level between FEALAC members in the fields of culture, sports, tourism and development.

At the first session, mayors, experts and representatives of FEALAC cities discussed the relationship between cultural heritage and sustainable development, while considering the establishment of the network of cultural cities.

They also exchanged experience in cultural issues, heritage preservation and sustainable development.

Keiji Maki from Japan’s Kyoto city shared how the locality had involved each citizen in heritage preservation by taking measures to support them.

Meanwhile, Valdes Bolano Sara, a representative from Mexico, stressed the need to raise public awareness of the importance of culture to sustainable development, and strengthen international collaboration in tourism development and cultural diversification preservation.

Delegates then approved a joint statement affirming the importance of cultural to sustainable development in general and urban development in particular, as well as the importance of urban heritage protection in the growing urbanisation.

They also confirmed the vital role of local people in preserving and promoting heritage values in urban areas and major cities.

They reached a consensus on operation regulations of the network, and called on other cities of regional countries to participate in this network.

The next meeting of the FEALAC network of cultural cities will take place in San Salvador, Argentina.-VNA