Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son presented the honour to the distinguished guest at a ceremony in Hanoi on June 28.

During a meeting held prior to the awarding ceremony, Son expressed his deep appreciation for Azoulay’s strong support for Vietnam and commended her outstanding contributions over two terms that have helped elevate UNESCO’s global role and influence.

He emphasised that Vietnam attaches great importance to multilateral cooperation and the role of UNESCO, and remains committed to being a responsible member across all five of UNESCO’s key governing bodies. Vietnam, he said, actively contributes to promoting dialogue, solidarity, and international cooperation, while championing the role of culture in the post-2030 UN development agenda.

The Deputy Prime Minister outlined Vietnam’s four breakthrough pillars for national advancement and invited UNESCO’s continued collaboration in policy consulting, capacity building, and enhancing public-private partnerships, particularly in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors, renewable energy, and scientific data.

Azoulay, for her part, expressed sincere gratitude for Vietnam’s robust support, affirming that Vietnam is a trusted and strategic partner of UNESCO. She also voiced hope that Vietnam would continue to play an active role in UNESCO’s activities and broader global efforts.

Impressed by Vietnam’s strategic vision and its potential to become a regional centre for knowledge and innovation, Azoulay welcomed cooperation on establishing a regional AI training centre in Vietnam and supported the creation of international cooperation mechanisms between UNESCO and Vietnamese universities focused on AI and data science. She also expressed interest in promoting public-private initiatives in knowledge-based development with Vietnamese corporations.

In cultural heritage cooperation, Azoulay agreed to Vietnam’s proposals for support in preserving and inscribing world heritage sites. These include the restoration of Kinh Thien Palace within the Thang Long Imperial Citadel, the nomination of the Yen Tu – Vinh Nghiem – Con Son, Kiep Bac complex, and the preparation of nomination dossiers for Co Loa Citadel, Oc Eo – Ba The archaeological site, Con Moong cave, and the Cu Chi Tunnels.

She affirmed that Vietnam is a model for UNESCO cooperation, with tangible results. The numerous UNESCO heritage designations in Vietnam have contributed not only to cultural preservation but also to improving local livelihoods and supporting sustainable socio-economic development.

Vietnam reaffirms strong commitment to multilateral cooperation, UNESCO mission

VOV.VN - Vietnam has reaffirmed its strong support for multilateral cooperation and the vital role of UNESCO, pledging to continue contributing proactively and responsibly to the organisation’s work, particularly as a member of its key decision-making bodies.