Harnessing the values of UNESCO titles for sustainable development

PSNews - An international conference on harnessing UNESCO designations for sustainable development in Vietnam was co-organized on July 3 by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO, and the Ninh Binh Provincial People's Committee.

The event welcomed the participation of more than 220 delegates and guests including representatives of high-ranking leaders of the Party, State, relevant ministries and sectors and provinces and cities of Vietnam; representatives of the leaders of UNESCO, Presidents of the National Commission of the countries in the region, representatives of UNESCO offices and organizations, representative of a number of United Nations organs in Vietnam; domestic and international experts in the fields of conservation, planning, architecture, and economics.

Speaking at the event, Chairman of the Ninh Binh Provincial People’s Committee Pham Quang Ngoc said that, Ninh Binh is the only place in Vietnam to possess "double" UNESCO titles: Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex, a mixed Cultural and Natural Heritage of the World. He hoped that delegates will share experience and visions on specialised mechanism to unlock and mobilise resources for heritage conservation and development.

Harnessing the values of UNESCO titles for sustainable development -0
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ha Kim Ngoc speaks at the event.

On his part, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ha Kim Ngoc said localities with UNESCO-recognised heritage are facing many challenges, the greatest of which is how to reach harmony of economic development and heritage conservation. Therefore, he proposed that participants shared success stories of localities in harnessing UNESCO titles to serve sustainable development, which will provide valuable lessons for localities in the process of building UNESCO nomination dossiers or seeking additional UNESCO titles.

According to Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung, ith its vast and diverse cultural and natural resources, Vietnam has won UNESCO's recognition for 8 world cultural and natural heritages, 15 intangible cultural heritages, 9 documentary heritages, 3 global geoparks, and 11 world biosphere reserves.

He then noted that many UNESCO-recognised cultural heritage items have become well-known tourist attractions, contributing to local development. Vietnam is focusing efforts on realising the global goal of enhancing protection of UNESCO-recognised heritage, he said, affirming that protection and promotion of heritage's values in connection with sustainable development of tourism is also an important solution to turn tourism into a spearhead industry of the country.

Harnessing the values of UNESCO titles for sustainable development -0
Overview of the event.

Speaking at the event, Mr. Firmin Edouard Matoko, Assistant Director-General for Priority Africa and External Relations affirmed that, Vietnam is a model of positive and fruitful cooperation with UNESCO. Vietnam joined UNESCO in 1976. Since then and across 47 years, Vietnam and UNESCO have built a strong relationship based on a shared belief in the crucial importance of education, the sciences and culture as key drivers for sustainable development.

He also stated that, Vietnam has also been a context which has helped showcase the role of new partnerships in sustainable development, including the key role of the private sector. Their engagement is crucial for SDG attainment and addressing climate change.

"We are committed to working closely with the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO and the Permanent Delegation of Viet Nam to UNESCO in Paris to achieve our shared objectives under the shared values which motivate, unite and guide our common effort in the service of the great people," he said.

The conference focused on discussing models of conservation and promotion of heritage, titles for sustainable development in localities in particular and Vietnam in general.

The 2-day conference consisted of 3 thematic sessions, which are: the practices of promoting values of UNESCO designations for sustainable development in Viet Nam; UNESCO designations and sustainable development: international experience; and the methods to mobilize resources for sustainable development through UNESCO designations.

The international conference also included visiting activities to UNESCO heritage sites in Viet Nam and related conservation - promotion forms.

By An Nhien

Other News

First working day of Party Central Committee's fourth plenum

First working day of Party Central Committee's fourth plenum

Delegates held group discussions on the CPV Central Committee resolution calling for stronger building and rectification towards a clean, strong and comprehensive Party and political system able to meet the country's development needs in the new era.

Key Party leader hosts Hungarian Workers' Party chief

Key Party leader hosts Hungarian Workers' Party chief

The Communist Party of Vietnam always values its solidarity and friendship with the Hungarian Workers' Party and communist and workers' parties worldwide, which helps build political trust and supports Vietnam's relations with other countries, said key Party leader Tran Cam Tu.

14th Party Central Committee convenes fourth plenum

14th Party Central Committee convenes fourth plenum

In his opening remarks, General Secretary and President To Lam said that the 14th National Party Congress set out major orientations and strategic goals, while the second and third plenums adopted important policies on Party building, personnel, development and national defence. The fourth plenum must focus on creating conditions for effective implementation while preparing the theoretical, organisational and human resources foundations for the country’s long-term development.

Panamanian President's Vietnam visit offers new opportunity to deepen bilateral ties

Panamanian President's Vietnam visit offers new opportunity to deepen bilateral ties

Vietnamese Ambassador to Mexico and Panama Nguyen Van Hai noted that the visit is particularly significant as the first high-level exchange between the two countries in nearly 15 years, following then-President Ricardo Martinelli’s visit to Vietnam in 2012, and came shortly after the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2025.

Vietnam and Panama can become gateways linking two regions

Vietnam and Panama can become gateways linking two regions

"Panama can serve as a strategic platform for Vietnamese companies seeking greater access to Latin America and the Caribbean, while Vietnam represents an important gateway for strengthening Panama’s engagement with Southeast Asia", Ambassador Nubiela Ayala Modes confirmed.

Localities committed to achieving 2026 growth targets

Localities committed to achieving 2026 growth targets

Localities nationwide hailed effective and flexible directions delivered by the Government so far this year, resulting in positive nine-month socio-economic growth, and reaffirmed their commitment to achieving targets set for the whole 2026 at an online Government-locality conference on October 3.

Creating new drivers for Vietnam-Canada cooperation

Creating new drivers for Vietnam-Canada cooperation

The elevation of bilateral ties to a Strategic Partnership shows that Vietnam and Canada increasingly view each other not simply as trading partners, but as long-term partners in addressing economic, technological and regional challenges.

Top leader asks for sports development to build national strength

Top leader asks for sports development to build national strength

The top leader applauded the efforts of ministries, sectors, localities, social organisations, coaches, athletes, experts in developing physical education and sports in recent times, stressing that Resolution No. 08 has provided an important political foundation for sports development over the past 15 years, while Conclusion No. 70 set important orientations for the new period.

Vietnam mobilises resources to affirm its leadership role in APEC 2027

Vietnam mobilises resources to affirm its leadership role in APEC 2027

PSNews - Vietnam is recognised by its partners as an influential member of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, with expectations that it will continue to demonstrate leadership when it hosts APEC for the third time in 2027, according to Standing Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu.

Top Vietnamese leader receives Chairman of Japan Bank for International Cooperation

Top Vietnamese leader receives Chairman of Japan Bank for International Cooperation

General Secretary and President Lam urged JBIC to continue promoting the substantive implementation of projects under the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC), and step up discussions on potential cooperation within the framework of the POWERR Asia (Partnership on Wide Energy and Resources Resilience Asia) initiative, including the development of strategic energy reserves.

NA, Government's Party committees meet on legislature's second session agenda

NA, Government's Party committees meet on legislature's second session agenda

National Assembly President Tran Thanh Man coordination must go beyond finishing the agenda to improve the quality of NA decisions and Government enforcement; deal with policies rather than just paperwork, especially in the fight against corruption and other negative phenomena; and pin down final responsibility for each product, not just progress.

Prime Minister receives Cambodian Minister of Inspection

Prime Minister receives Cambodian Minister of Inspection

Prime Minister Le Minh Hung asked the two countries' inspection agencies to build on their achievements by regularly exchanging information and experience, maintaining delegation exchanges, and coordinating inspections in areas related to bilateral economic, trade and investment cooperation.