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

National Assembly Chairman urges renovation in leadership, working style

National Assembly Chairman urges renovation in leadership, working style

The NA's Committee for Cultural and Social Affairs has moved fast to reshuffle its organisation after the 14th National Party Congress and the election of deputies to the 16th NA, updating its work agenda to match new directives set out in the resolutions of the 14th National Party Congress and the first Congress of the NA Party Organisation for the 2025–2030 term.

Vietnam treasures ties with Croatia: PM

Vietnam treasures ties with Croatia: PM

Vietnam and Croatia should strive to double bilateral trade turnover from the current level of 161 million USD; study the establishment of a Joint Committee on Economic Cooperation to create a long-term, stable, and effective framework for collaboration, said Prime Minister Le Minh Hung.

President Ho Chi Minh's enduring legacy highlighted at Venezuela commemoration

President Ho Chi Minh's enduring legacy highlighted at Venezuela commemoration

Vice President of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) Jesús Faria expressed deep admiration for President Ho Chi Minh and Vietnam’s indomitable struggle for national independence. He described President Ho Chi Minh as an immortal symbol of 20th-century national liberation movements, whose legacy continues to inspire leftist parties, progressive movements, and peoples across Latin America, including Venezuela.

Vietnam proposes key cooperation orientations at BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting

Vietnam proposes key cooperation orientations at BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting

Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Minh Hang shared Vietnam’s approach to building an independent and self-reliant economy linked to deep international integration, while proposing several key areas for enhanced cooperation between BRICS and partner countries at the Expanded BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting that opened on May 14 in India.

Vietnam asks parties to respect its sovereignty over Truong Sa

Vietnam asks parties to respect its sovereignty over Truong Sa

PSNews - The spokesperson stated that the dispatch of personnel by relevant parties to features belonging to Truong Sa without Vietnam’s permission constitutes a violation of Vietnam’s sovereignty under international law. She stressed that such actions run counter to the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) as well as ongoing efforts by countries to negotiate a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).

Hanoi to host ASEAN Future Forum 2026 in mid-June

Hanoi to host ASEAN Future Forum 2026 in mid-June

PSNews - Vietnam’s proposals placed the highest priority on ensuring a peaceful and stable environment conducive for continued sustainable development and improving the well-being and happiness of the ASEAN people. They were praised by member states and incorporated into the core contents of the ASEAN Leaders’ Statement on the response to the Middle East crisis.

Vietnam promotes cooperation with United Nations on crime prevention

Vietnam promotes cooperation with United Nations on crime prevention

Vietnam highly values the support of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in strengthening national capacity in crime prevention and criminal justice, drug control, and addressing emerging challenges, particularly cybercrime, said Ambassador Vu Le Thai Hoang.

Party, State leader calls for consolidation of central steering committees on legal, judicial reform

Party, State leader calls for consolidation of central steering committees on legal, judicial reform

Consolidating the central steering committees for institutional and legal reform and for judicial reform is necessary in order to streamline organisational structures without reducing responsibilities, while ensuring clear accountability, measurable outputs and concrete results. Following the restructuring, the body will be renamed the central steering committee for institutional improvement and law enforcement, with the Party General Secretary and State President serving as its head.

Vietnam strives for substantive outcome at NPT review conference

Vietnam strives for substantive outcome at NPT review conference

At the meeting this week, Ambassador Viet briefed the UNGA President on developments during the first two weeks of the conference. He stressed that the current international geopolitical landscape poses numerous complex challenges, while reaffirming Vietnam’s determination, together with other member states, to promote substantive and balanced outcomes at the conference.

Top leader of Vietnam receives Vientiane official in Hanoi

Top leader of Vietnam receives Vientiane official in Hanoi

The host leader stressed that cooperation between localities, particularly between the capitals of Hanoi and Vientiane, plays an especially important role as a pioneering force in effectively implementing the foreign polices of the two Parties and States, while also serving as a bridge between politics and development, as well as between strategy and concrete action.