The Vietnamese delegation at the event. Photo: NDO

The election took place on December 8 during the committee's 18th session in Kasane, Botswana. This is the second time that Vietnam has been elected to the position after the first in the 2006-2010 tenure, representing the Asia-Pacific region, according to Nhan dan (People) Newspaper.

Ambassador Le Thi Hong Van, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UNESCO, said this is another success of Vietnam this year, besides other good news including being elected as the Vice President of the UNESCO's General Conference.

The diplomat said that becoming the Vice Chair of one of the key specialized committees of the UNESCO affirms Vietnam's position and reputation in the world arena, showing the support and confidence of the international community in Vietnam's ability to make contributions and management capacity at the UNESCO, as well as the recognition of Vietnam's positive contributions to cooperation in the field of culture in general and intangible cultural heritage in particular, helping promote the role of culture and cultural heritage in sustainable and inclusive development and self-reliance in nations and regions.

This is also evidence for Vietnam's success in implementing its external policy of multilateralization, diversification and comprehensive international integration in line with the spirit of the 13th National Party Congress' Resolution, and the Directive of the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat on strengthening and enhancing multilateral diplomacy until 2030, said Ambassador Van.

As the Vice Chair of the UNESCO's Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, Vietnam will have more favorable conditions in completing and implementing goals and priorities of the UNESCO's Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage (the 2003 Convention), thus enhancing the significant role of intangible cultural heritage as a motivation for sustainable development, cultural diversity, creativity and dialogue among cultures, connecting the society with the increased engagement of the community, women and the youth, she said.

The 18th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage took place from December 4-9 with the participation of more than 500 delegates and observers from 24 member states as well as international organizations and non-governmental organizations on culture and art.

At the session, participants approved a list of 56 new dossiers of intangible cultural heritage, while evaluating the implementation of the 2003 Convention in member states in the Arab region, discussing and approving a mechanism to simplify the process of building nomination documents, and preparing activities to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the 2003 Convention.

The UNESCO's Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage comprises 24 members, acting as an UNESCO important executive agency for the protection of intangible cultural heritage, deciding on key issues related to recognising intangible cultural heritage and allocating funds to support the conservation of intangible cultural heritage in different countries, and designing policies and development orientations of the 2003 Convention.

The 19th session of the committee is slated for December 2024 in Paraguay, during which participants will consider Vietnam's nomination of the Festival of Ba Chua Xu Goddess at Sam Mountain as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity.

Earlier, at a reception for Van, UNESCO General Director Audrey Azoulay said Vietnam has been a responsible member and one of the pioneers in effectively implementing UNESCO’s activities and programs, VietnamPlus reported.

Ambassador Le Thi Hong Van, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to UNESCO, (L) and UNESCO General Director Audrey Azoulay. Photo: VNA

The UNESCO leader hailed Vietnam’s practical and effective contributions to UNESCO in many important issues. The country holds the positions as vice president of the 42nd session of the UNESCO’s General Conference, and vice chair of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee of the 2005 Convention for the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expression.

Vietnam was elected vice chair of the 24-member UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee of the 2005 Convention for the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, representing the Asia-Pacific region, as part of the committee’s 16th session.

Taking place in Paris from February 7-10, the 16th session saw the participation of nearly 400 delegates and observers from all member nations and nearly 100 other countries, international and cultural organizations.

Le Thi Hong Van, head of the Vietnam Permanent Delegation to UNSCO, speaks at a UNESCO plenary session (Photo: VNA)

In its new position, Vietnam will have favorable conditions to further contribute to the implementation of the 2005 Convention’s goals and priorities; and take advantage of knowledge, experience and external resources for its cultural and sustainable development in the new period, Van said.

The 2005 Convention was adopted on October 20, 2005 and has so far been ratified by 152 countries. Vietnam was first elected as vice chair of the committee in the 2011-2015 tenure./.

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