Party General Secretary To Lam was speaking during his meeting with Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), in Hanoi on June 27.

Lam appreciated UNESCO’s support for Vietnam, especially its recognition of 72 heritage titles across all provinces and cities in the country. These designations, he said, have become valuable resources for sustainable socio-economic development, improving livelihoods, and preserving and promoting Vietnam’s cultural and heritage values, contributing to the shared heritage of humanity.

He highlighted Vietnam’s entry into a new development era with the goal of becoming a high-income developed country by 2045, and affirmed the country’s commitment to deep international integration in politics, the global economy, and world civilisation.

The Party leader called on UNESCO to continue supporting Vietnam in its integration and development process, particularly in education, science, culture, and communications. He also proposed enhanced cooperation in policy consultation, knowledge sharing, and resource mobilisation to promote sustainable development and to spread humanistic and cultural values in line with the interests of both UNESCO and Vietnam.

The General Secretary expressed hope that UNESCO would remain a reliable partner for Vietnam, especially in the preservation and promotion of its UNESCO-recognised heritage. He requested the organisation’s continued support for the nomination and recognition of several key heritage dossiers, such as the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, and the Complex of Yen Tu – Vinh Nghiem – Con Son, Kiep Bac Monuments and Landscapes.

Azoulay, for her part, recalled nearly 50 years of UNESCO’s cooperation with Vietnam, acknowledging the country as one of the organisation’s most active members. She affirmed that “Vietnam–UNESCO relations have never been better.”

She thanked Vietnam for its strong commitment and contributions, expressing hope that the country would continue to play a more prominent role in UNESCO's activities and the organisation’s broader mission. She noted that Vietnam’s membership in key UNESCO bodies reflects the trust and confidence of the organisation and its member states in the country’s contributions.

The Director-General also commended Vietnam’s recent socio-economic achievements, describing the country as a model for others. She praised the strategic leadership of the Vietnamese Party and Government, particularly in recent initiatives such as the plan to provide tuition-free education in public schools from 2025, national strategies for digital transformation and artificial intelligence, and the inclusion of the private sector in UNESCO-related activities.

Highlighting recent recognitions such as Lang Son Global Geopark and several cities in UNESCO's Creative Cities Network (UCCN) and Global Network of Learning Cities (GNLC), Azoulay said that these designations reflect the international community’s appreciation for Vietnam’s cultural values and align with the country’s development orientation.

Recognising Vietnam’s leading role in heritage preservation, the Director-General stressed that Vietnam’s delicate integration of historical and cultural values into its modernisation process has created a distinctive national identity and sustainable international appeal. UNESCO, she affirmed, will continue to support Vietnam in its efforts to preserve and promote its heritage, develop cultural industries, and contribute to the enrichment of global civilisation.

Vietnam re-elected to UNESCO Convention’s Intergovernmental Committee

VOV.VN - Vietnam was re-elected to the Intergovernmental Committee of the 2005 UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions for a second consecutive term (2021–2025 and 2025–2029), during the Convention’s 10th session held from June 18 to 20 at UNESCO headquarters in Paris.