Cambodia Joins the Commemoration of UNESCO’s 75th Anniversary
On the occasion of UNESCO’s 75th Anniversary, and UNESCO’s 41st General Conference, at the invitation of Ms. Audrey Azoulay, Director-General UNESCO, His Majesty Samdech Preah Bâromneath NORODOM Sihamoni, King of Cambodia, addressed a special ceremony on 12th November 2021 at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, along with over 25 heads of state and government and delegations.
Established in 1945, UNESCO was born of a clear global vision: to contribute to the building of a culture of peace, the eradication of poverty, sustainable development and intercultural dialogue through Education, the Sciences, Culture, and Communication and Information.
In his royal speech, His Majesty King Sihamoni congratulated UNESCO for its 75th Anniversary since founding, for its contribution to peace, cultural diversity, solidarity and humanity by highlighting its global pioneer initiative on the Futures of Education and standard-setting role on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence. His Majesty stated that the Cambodian People, Samdech Techo Prime Minister Hun Sen, and the Royal Government of Cambodia are with him while expressing his deepest gratitude to representatives of all nations who have signed the Paris Peace Agreements in 1991, under the co-Presidency of France and Indonesia, to bring peace and progress to Cambodia. His Majesty stated that UNESCO has a special place in the hearts of all Cambodians by commending the achievements of the International Coordinating Committee-Angkor (ICC-Angkor) for the safeguarding and development of the exceptional cultural sites and temples of Angkor, Preah Vihear and Sambour Prei Kuk. It is a unique example of international solidarity and multilateral cooperation, and testifies to one of UNESCO’s most impressive achievements for cultural heritage.
During the bilateral meeting between His Majesty King Sihanomi and UNESCO Director General, His Majesty appreciated the leading role of UNESCO in Cambodia, for its work in Culture Conservation, Education, Environment and Climate Change, and Media Development, and commended the significant joint achievements between UNESCO and Cambodia over the past 30 years.
As part of the Cambodian high-level delegation, H.E. Phoeurng Sackona, Minister of Culture and Fine Arts, delivered a speech at the Plenary and the General Policy Debate of the 41st session of the General Conference. She highlighted that, through the excellent cooperation with UNESCO Phnom Penh Office, Cambodia has significant achievements in the areas of enhancing teachers’ education, informal education and lifelong learning; promoting preservation and conservation of cultural heritage sites, and intangible heritage and cultural and creative industries; fostering media development and freedom of expression, and the preservation and digitalization of documentary heritage of the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum.
This year, 2021, also marks the 30th Anniversary of the establishment of UNESCO Office in Cambodia. The on-going portfolio of UNESCO Phnom Penh Office is over USD 24 million, which covers diverse innovative initiatives across Education, Culture, the Sciences and Communication and Information to support Cambodia in the realization of Sustainable Development Goals for Cambodia.