QUẢNG NINH — Hạ Long City in the northern province of Quảng Ninh on August 5 hosted the 43rd Session of the Executive Board of the World Federation of UNESCO Clubs, Centres and Associations (WFUCA) and an international conference on the role and contributions of UNESCO movements to the cultural industries.

The annual event drew 40 representatives from WFUCA member states and hundreds of delegates from agencies, sectors, and prestigious cultural, educational, and scientific organisation in Việt Nam.

Addressing the event, Nguyễn Xuân Thắng, President of the Việt Nam Federation of UNESCO Associations (VFUA) and member of the WFUCA Executive Board, said that the session marks a new development of UNESCO non-governmental movements in the world, paving the way for strengthening cooperation and exchange among the UNESCO associations and clubs from WFUCA members for the implementation of more programmes and actions.

This year, delegates shared their experience and opinions on the role of cultural industries and the creative economy in promoting economic growth, creating livelihoods and preserving cultural heritages.

Meanwhile, Editor-in-Chief of Nhân Dân (People) Newspaper, Vice Chairman of the Party Central Committee’s Commission for Information and Education and President of the Việt Nam Journalists’ Association Lê Quốc Minh underlined that in the Government's strategy, culture is identified as a spearhead economic sector.

He praised Quảng Ninh’s efforts in promoting the value of Hạ Long Bay - a UNESCO-recognised World Natural Heritage - for tourism development.

At the event, the WFUCA Executive Board and member states reported their operation outcomes in the 2023-2024 period, and adopted the supplementations and amendments of the WFUCA Charter. They also elected leaders of the federation in the new tenure and discussed the preparations for the 44th session.

Concluding the event, member states released a Hạ Long Declaration on creative economy - connecting culture for peace and sustainable development.

The Cultural Values Council of the VUFA awarded certificates of merit and recognition to individuals and organisations with outstanding contributions to UNESCO movements and promoting cultural heritage values in their fields of operation. — VNS