As many as 80 representatives from UNESCO member states and national commissions in the Asia-Pacific region, gathered at a consultation meeting in the central province of Thanh Hoa on June 16.
Addressing the event, Eric Falt, UNESCO’s Assistant Director-General for External Relations and Public Information, spoke highly of the role and responsibility of Vietnam in organising this event.
He emphasised the special importance of the meeting as the Asia-Pacific region accounts for over 60 percent of the world population.
The meeting aims to collect ideas contributed by experts and representatives of member countries on what UNESCO should do in the years to come, he said, adding that UNESCO needs to closely cooperate with its member countries in the Asia-Pacific region in addressing current global challenges.
Falt affirmed that despite numerous difficulties, UNESCO is loyal to its tasks to build peace, reduce poverty and facilitate sustainable development and dialogues among cultures.
Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Thanh Son, Chairman of the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO, reaffirmed Vietnam ’s support for the organisation in a time of difficulty.
He said Vietnam has made active contributions to the operations of UNESCO, both in the country and the world.
The consultation meeting of UNESCO national commissions is held once every two years in five continents to collect ideas from 198 national committees of member countries. In 2006, a similar meeting was successfully organised in Hanoi .
On the occasion, the delegates are scheduled to attend a ceremony to receive a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Certificate to the Ho Dynasty Citadel in Thanh Hoa province.-VNA
