Deputy Foreign Minister and Chairman of the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs (COVA) Nguyen Thanh Son made this statement during his meeting with UNESCO General Director Irina Bokova on February 29 in Paris.

The meeting was within the UNESCO Executive Board’s annual session from February 27 to March 10.

Mr Son highlighted the results of Vietnam-UNESCO practical cooperation, saying that UNESCO recognition of Vietnam’s many cultural, natural, and intangible heritages and biosphere reserves has significantly contributed to the country’s socio-economic development.

Deputy Minister Son affirmed that Vietnam is ready to host the Asia-Pacific Regional Consultative Meeting of National Commissions for UNESCO, slated for June, in coincidence with the 35th founding anniversary of Vietnam’s National Commission for UNESCO and the world heritage recognition ceremony of the Ho Citadel in Thanh Hoa province.

Vietnam always supports the plan of action proposed by Irina Bokova at a special session held in January 26.

On the occasion, Mr Son put forward Vietnam’s proposal recognizing the file of the Hung Kings death anniversary as a world intangible heritage.

For her part, Irina Bokova proposed Vietnam coordinate with UNESCO to call for the US Government to cooperate in UNESCO activities and the US congress to reconsider its provision of financing for the organization’s operations.