Foreign officials hail Vietnamese ties with France and UNESCO

Senator Jeremy Bacchi, member of the National Council of the French Communist Party (PCF) and secretary of the PCF organisation in Bouches-du-Rhone department, noted with satisfaction that the two countries have maintained and unceasingly developed close-knit ties across the board, including in economics and culture.

A number of activities have been held throughout the year to celebrate bilateral ties, further enhancing the existing friendship and helping the French people to learn more about the culture and history of Vietnam, as well as the Vietnamese people’s optimism during the realisation of set targets, he said.

Francois Corbin, vice president of the Movement of the Enterprises of France (MEDEF) International and chairman of the France - Vietnam Business Council at MEDEF, said he is impressed with the Vietnamese side’s dynamism and growth over recent years, adding that with its current level of growth, the country will continue developing over the coming years.

The nation boasts businesses which have effective operations, high demand for infrastructure development, an expanding middle class, as well as major attention given to environmental protection and the fight against climate change, he opined.

French businesses own sufficient capacity and wish to develop the level of co-operation with Vietnamese firms and leaders in order to jointly work towards a future of common prosperity, Corbin remarked.

For her part, Helene Luc, honorary senator of France and former chairwoman of the France-Vietnam Friendship Association, cited then French President Jacques Chirac as saying during his visit to Vietnam back in 2004 that the country’s voice had touched the heart of the French people. This was repeated by President of the French Senate Gerard Larcher when he visited Vietnam in 2022.

Luc said such comments serve to reflect all the sentiments the two peoples have given to each other, adding hope that this voice will become even stronger so that the joint friendship will grow even further.

Meanwhile, Jonathan Baker, who will serve as chief representative of UNESCO in Vietnam next year, said the country boasts a diverse culture and has won recognition from UNESCO for not only its tangible and intangible heritage, but also geo-parks or biosphere reserves.

The potential that exists in bilateral co-operation is not limited to heritage preservation, but has also covers education, science, and the environment for sustainable development. Many educational projects have been carried out fruitfully across multiple localities.

Moreover, the country is one of the most active partners of UNESCO in terms of environmental protection, especially for biodiversity conservation and water resources protection, he elaborated.

The UNESCO official expressed his hope that the Vietnamese side, which has recorded booming economic development, will move to establish itself as a bright spot in the region and the world in terms of connecting economic development with social security ensuring, cultural preservation, and environmental protection.

Baker added that he hopes among the many collaboration opportunities in the time ahead, the nation and UNESCO  will join hands to successfully carry out cultural, educational, and scientific programmes.