Attending the Celebration were Mr. Nguyen Dy Nien, Former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Former Chairman of Viet Nam National Commission for UNESCO (NatCom), Mr. Ha Kim Ngoc, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chairman of Viet Nam National Commission for UNESCO, Vice Chairman, leaders and former leaders, officers of the Secretariat, Sub-committees and Technical Sub-committees of Viet Nam NatCom. Mr. Hoang Xuan Anh, Chairman of Cao Bang Provincial People’s Committee and representative leaders of the provinces and cities with UNESCO designations, leaders of Ministries, localities, Management Boards, experts, researchers, enterprises, partners and media also gathers at the event.
On the side of UNESCO, Mr. Firmin Edouard Matoko, Assistant Director-General for External Relations and African Priorities, Mr. Jonathan W. Baker, UNESCO Representative to Viet Nam, and current and former leaders staff of the UNESCO Office in Viet Nam, more than 20 Ambassadors, Chargé d'Affaires, Deputy Ambassadors, attended the event.
In his opening remarks, Mr. Jonathan Baker – UNESCO Representative to Viet Nam emphasized 2024 marks the 25 anniversary of the UNESCO Hanoi Office and the designation of Hanoi as UNESCO’s “City for Peace”. He affirmed that over the past 25 years, the cooperation between UNESCO and Viet Nam has constituted significant achievements with 70 UNESCO designations. Viet Nam has become an active member state, significantly contributed to all the fields of UNESCO. The bond between the UNESCO Office in Viet Nam and the Viet Nam National Commission for UNESCO has increasingly been close, trustworthy and practical.
To achieve this goal, it is essential for Viet Nam to continue its active and responsible contribution to UNESCO’s development strategies; integrate UNESCO’s programs into national policies, especially, those related to cultural conservation and promotion for sustainable development, improving education and training with creative innovations; strengthening the cooperative scheme between UNESCO and Viet Nam; and optimizing local resources, enterprises and communities for UNESCO’s work.
On this occasion, Mr. Firmin Edouard Matoko, Assistant Director-General for External Relations and African Priorities was conferred the title of Honorary citizen of Hanoi from the Hanoi People's Committee. At different positions, Assistant Director-General has made great contributions to the comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and UNESCO, including supporting Hanoi to be recognized as a City for Peace and a Creative Design City. He also paid a great concern about and supported the dossier of conserving Imperial Citadel of Thang Long - the World Heritage site since it was recognized by UNESCO.
Expressing his honor receiving the title of Honorary citizen of Hanoi as well as gathering with old friends, Mr. Firmin Edouard Matoko was extremely pleased to witness the significant achievements of the partnership between UNESCO and Viet Nam. It is the strategic, responsibly and trustworthy partnership built on the constant commitment of Viet Nam to multilateralism and based on the belief that education, science and culture are the foundation for building an inclusive and sustainable society.
The celebration participants all shared a common opinion that the past 25 years is not only a pride journey of the UNESCO Office in Hanoi, but it is also the proof for the effective cooperation between UNESCO Office in Hanoi and the Viet Nam National Commission for UNESCO, making significant and meaningful contributions to the common efforts to strengthen the UNESCO - Vietnam partnership.
It is believed that in the next 25 years, the UNESCO Office in Hanoi will make more contributions, helping to enhance the partnership between the two sides and continuing to be a key factor ensuring the success of UNESCO’s activities in Viet Nam.
Author: The Management Board of the Non nuoc Cao Bang Geopark
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