Deputy Foreign Minister and Chairman of the National Commission for UNESCO Hà Kim Ngọc addresses the opening of the 216th session of the UNESCO Executive Board. — VNA/VNS Photo Thu Hà

PARIS — Việt Nam attaches importance to multilateral cooperation, including with UNESCO, in the challenging post-COVID-19 context, Deputy Foreign Minister and Chairman of the National Commission for UNESCO Hà Kim Ngọc said at the 216th session of the UNESCO Executive Board that was opened on Monday (local time) in Paris, France.

Speaking at the opening session, he said he appreciated efforts by the UNESCO Secretary-General and Director-General in mobilising resources, promoting multi-dimensional approaches, effectively implementing activities, and providing timely support for member countries in crisis. 

Regarding the future direction, Ngọc suggested appropriate resource allocation for two global priorities, Africa and gender equality; and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and youth.

He also affirmed Việt Nam's commitment to promoting multilateral cooperation and cohesion with UNESCO in fields of professional cooperation. 

Ngọc announced the organisation of an international conference on promoting the role of UNESCO titles for sustainable development in Việt Nam in July 2023, with a view to turning UNESCO titles into support for sustainable development and inspiration for the future.

On the sidelines of the 216th session of the UNESCO Executive Council, Ngọc had meetings with UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay, UNESCO Deputy Director General Xing Qu, and Assistant Director General for Priority Africa and External Relations Firmin Edouard Matoko to promote bilateral relations between Việt Nam and UNESCO. 

On this occasion, the Vietnamese official will meet with World Heritage Center Director Lazare Eloundou Assomo and ICOMOS General Director Marie Laure Lavenir to discuss strengthening cooperation in the protection and promotion of values of UNESCO-recognised heritages in Việt Nam, as well as promote the country’s dossiers seeking UNESCO titles for Thăng Long Imperial Citadel, Hạ Long Bay - Cát Bà Islands, Yên Tử - Vĩnh Nghiêm - Côn Sơn, Kiếp Bạc relic and landscape complex, and Óc Eo Ba The relic site.

The official said that Việt Nam had passed half of the term as a member of the UNESCO Executive Council. The country was said to be an active and responsible member that had made contributions to UNESCO's activities.

This was considered a great opportunity for Việt Nam to meet the leaders of the Secretariat and interact with member countries to strengthen cooperation with UNESCO as well as promote bilateral connections with other nations in handling global and bilateral issues.

He said that currently, Việt Nam had participated in almost all of the most important mechanisms of UNESCO and the country had been very proactive, active, and responsible to contribute to the activities of UNESCO mechanisms in general and the 216th session of the Executive Council in particular.

The 216th session of the Executive Council of UNESCO will take place until May 25 in Paris with the participation of 58 member countries and an agenda with nearly 50 topics on fields such as education, culture, science, human resources, management, and foreign relations.

During the session, discussions on the draft Programmes and Budget for the 2024-2025 period are expected to draw much attention as UNESCO’s current budget fails to cover the proposed programmes and activities. — VNS