Deputy Minister Pham Quang Hieu worked with UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay.

The 214th session of the Executive Board of UNESCO took place in the "important" context of the world situation, as Deputy Minister Pham Quang Hieu said. What outstanding results do you think the session achieved?

It can be affirmed that this session is of great significance, being the first session in the new term 2021-2025 of the Executive Board and the Director-General of UNESCO.

Members discussed specific measures to carry out the results of the 41st session of the UNESCO General Assembly (November 2021). These are Mid-Term Strategy 2022-2029, Program and Budget 2022-2025, global initiatives such as the artificial intelligence, open science and education. These are in an effort to strengthen multilateral cooperation, respond to global challenges, for recovery and sustainable development in the post-Covid-19 period.

Evaluating UNESCO's activities over the past four years (2018-2021), members welcomed the results of cooperation, especially in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic. UNESCO demonstrates the ability to adapt flexibly and promptly to support countries to respond to the pandemic.

It also fosters long-term initiatives, raising the organization's contribution in new issues and trends of the times. UNESCO affirms its leading role as a driving force for cooperation in education, science, culture, information and communication.

UNESCO's role is becoming more important than ever. Members agreed that UNESCO should strengthen solidarity and multilateral cooperation in response to global challenges.

It should contribute to international peacekeeping, step up its role in enhancing dialogue, understanding, culture of peace, and response assistance.

Deputy Foreign Minister Pham Quang Hieu speaks at the discussion session of the 214th session of the Executive Board of UNESCO.

What do you think about specific areas of cooperation such as education, culture or science?

Regarding education, members agreed that UNESCO should continue to its leading role in strengthening the global education cooperation, and assist countries in sustainable development goals related to education.

UNESCO will play a pivotal role in preparing for the Transforming Education Summit (New York, September 2022). It also contributes to the vocational education and training strategy for the period 2022-2029 to assist countries in developing human resources.

In the cultural sector, members agreed to strengthen consultations and prepare for the UNESCO World Conference on Cultural Policies and Sustainable Development (MONDIACULT 2022, Mexico, September 28-30, 2022).

The conference aims to strengthen the global policy dialogue on culture in the context of digital transformation and post-pandemic recovery. It welcomes the cultural cohesion and arts education, shaping the UNESCO Framework, towards building inclusive, sustainable societies.

In the field of science, members welcomed UNESCO Global Geoparks, which harmoniously combines protection of heritage types and biodiversity for sustainable development.

2022 is the 45th anniversary of the Vietnam-UNESCO partnership, can you summarize Vietnam's efforts in UNESCO over the past time?

Vietnam is accelerating the policy of the 13th Party Congress on international integration and raising the level of multilateral foreign policy. Vietnam continues to attach importance to the United Nations and UNESCO. Vietnam is a core member of ASEAN, strengthening multilateralism and cooperation between the United Nations, UNESCO and the region.

As a member of the UNESCO Executive Board for the 2021-2025 term and the Intergovernmental Committee of the Convention for the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, Vietnam demonstrates its dynamic membership, one of countries that have most effectively carried out the UNESCO cooperation program.

Vietnam-UNESCO relations have developed well, raised to a new height after the visit of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh to UNESCO headquarters (November 5, 2021). The visit created an important framework for cooperation, meeting the development requirements of the country in the new phase.

The Vietnamese delegation attended the 214th session of the Executive Board of UNESCO.

At this session, what are the contributions of Vietnam?

During the session, Deputy Foreign Minister Pham Quang Hieu gave an important speech with practical proposals.

Vietnam directly participates and contributes responsibly to the process of building and approving UNESCO's important decisions, strengthening cultural, educational-training, and scientific-technological cooperation at a global level.

Other countries welcome the experience Vietnam shares in fostering the cultural values and human strength of Vietnam in the development of the country.

As the Chair on ASEAN Education in 2022, a core member of UNESCO in scientific cooperation, Vietnam has made specific proposals to contribute to the preparation of important international events this year. The events include Transforming Education Summit (New York, September 2022), and MONDIACULT 2022 (Mexico, September 28-30, 2022).

As a candidate for the United Nations Human Rights Council for the term 2023-2025, Vietnam also affirms the spirit of cooperation and commitment to contribute to the world's common efforts to protect human rights.

Deputy Minister Pham Quang Hieu and President of the UNESCO President of the General Conference Santiago Irazabal Mourao.

The Director-General of UNESCO appreciated Vietnam's role and contribution to UNESCO cooperation. She pledged to continue bringing the Vietnam-UNESCO partnership into depth, substance and effectiveness. She also accepted the invitation to visit Vietnam in 2022.

As a member of the Executive Board of UNESCO, Vietnam enhances its active and responsible role in building and shaping UNESCO.

This is also a good opportunity to raise the level of Vietnam-UNESCO cooperation, take advantage of UNESCO's knowledge, initiatives and resources, contributing to creating a favorable basis for our country to fulfill the set sustainable development goals.

Ninh Thuan Receives UNESCO Certificate For Biosphere Reserve On April 14, Ninh Thuan Province held a ceremony to receive a UNESCO certificate recognising Nui Chua area as a world biosphere reserve.

Vietnam Supports “Building Peace in Minds of People” Mission at UNESCO Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Quang Hieu attended a meeting of the UNESCO Executive Board's 214th session from April 4 to 5 in Paris, ...

Have You Tried This UNESCO-Recognized Food? Let’s start a culinary trip to find out why these food are “cultural heritage” that you must try at least once.