Vietnam to further bring into play its role in UNESCO: ambassador

UNESCO recently inscribed the art of Xoe dance of the Thai ethnic group in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) – As a member of the UNESCO Executive Board, Vietnam will continue bringing into play its role as a dynamic and responsible member actively helping build and shape this organisation, Ambassador Le Thi Hong Van said.

Talking to the Vietnam News Agency, the head of the Permanent Delegation of Vietnam to UNESCO said Vietnam was one of the countries winning the most votes in the election of new members to the UNESCO Executive Board for 2021 - 2025, which has affirmed its stature and prestige, as well as the international community’s trust in the country's capacity of contributing to and operating global multilateral institutions.

This is also a good opportunity for raising the Vietnam - UNESCO cooperation to the next level and opening up “new development spaces” for the country, thereby helping improve people’s spiritual life and create a favourable basis for Vietnam to achieve the sustainable development goals, Van went on.

She noted Vietnam’s success in cultural diplomacy in 2021 can be seen in four aspects. The first is Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s first visit to the UNESCO headquarters in Paris on November 5, which coincided with the 75th founding anniversary of this organisation and the 45th anniversary of Vietnam - UNESCO ties. Second, the country had many titles and heritages bestowed or recognised by UNESCO. Third, cultural diplomacy has effectively made use of the organisation’s knowledge and resources for preserving and promoting heritage values, and assisting people and localities to achieve sustainable development. Fourth, multilateral external activities have been promoted at UNESCO.

As Chair of the Asia-Pacific Group in UNESCO and Vice Chair of the UNESCO’s Memory of the World Committee for Asia and the Pacific, Vietnam has shown its leadership and reconciliation role and the image of a responsible country upholding international law, building up consensus, and seeking proper solutions to issues of common concern, according to the ambassador.

Van added that in the time ahead, Vietnam will have to continually make proactive and creative efforts to carry out five groups of tasks in UNESCO: proposing policies and optimising UNESCO’s ideas and initiatives to assist the realisation of national targets; continuing to develop the Vietnam - UNESCO partnership in a substantive and effective manner; taking part in the building and defence of the dossiers seeking UNESCO recognition; popularising Vietnam’s image in the world; and raising the country’s position and prestige by contributing more to common issues and taking up more responsibility in UNESCO mechanisms./.

VNA