Viet Nam elected as Vice-Chair of General Assembly of State Parties to 2003 Convention

This appointment was announced at the 10th session of the General Assembly in Paris on June 11. Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairman of the Viet Nam National Commission for UNESCO Ha Kim Ngoc led the Vietnamese delegation to the session.

This event underscored Viet Nam's rising international profile and the international community's trust in its ability to contribute to global institutions.

Deputy Foreign Minister Ha Kim Ngoc credited Viet Nam's success to the Party and State's sound foreign policy on diversification and multilateralization of external ties, comprehensive global integration and cultural diplomacy initiatives, especially the Cultural Diplomacy Strategy to 2030.

As Vice Chair, Viet Nam will play a key role in shaping UNESCO's cultural agenda and driving progress on the 2003 Convention, he said.

Viet Nam is committed to leveraging UNESCO's programs, plans and initiatives to support national development, and heritage preservation, and ensure the highest national interests in global cultural cooperation.

Viet Nam boasts a rich tapestry of intangible cultural heritage, with 15 elements inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List and 550 recognized nationally.

Notably, the country continually fine-tunes national policies and laws, most recently the National Target Program on Cultural Development to 2045 and the amended Cultural Heritage Law

The Deputy Foreign Minister called for continued international cooperation and effective implementation of the Convention.

He stressed the importance of knowledge sharing and capacity building for developing, African and small island developing states, focusing on empowering communities, women and youth in heritage preservation efforts.

Member countries of the 2003 Convention highly appreciated Viet Nam's understanding and efforts in protecting and promoting intangible cultural heritage in theoretical, legal and practical aspects.

The General Assembly is the sovereign of the 2003 convention, which serves as a platform for 183 member states to collaborate on safeguarding the world's living and cultural traditions.

Viet Nam officially joined the 2003 Convention on September 5, 2005, becoming one of the first 30 countries worldwide to adopt this important Convention. Viet Nam has been elected twice to the Inter-Governmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Currently, Viet Nam is in the process of completing and submitting several dossiers for UNESCO recognition, including the Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem - Con Son, Kiep Bac relic and scenic complex; the Oc Eo-Ba The archaeological site, Con Moong Cave, the Ba Chua Xu Tem Festival at Sam Mountain, Dong Ho folk painting art, Cheo stage art, Mo Muong, Lang Son Geopark, and notably a project to preserve and promote the values of the central sector of the Thang Long Imperial Citadel in Ha Noi./.