In his speech at the opening ceremony, Ngoc emphasized the importance of multilateral cooperation based on solidarity, sincerity, and trust among nations; as well as the pivotal role of UNESCO and the U.N. amid epochal changes in the world.
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Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairman of the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO Ha Kim Ngoc speaks at the event. |
He recommended UNESCO continue initiatives and programs to promote sustainable development goals (SDGs) in education, enhance the effectiveness of the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities, and combine culture and heritage for sustainable development. He also suggested UNESCO promote open science and ethics in artificial intelligence (AI), strengthen climate change response, and support U.N. member countries in realizing the SDGs by 2030.
Vietnam always values multilateral cooperation and the role of UNESCO, Ngoc affirmed, adding that the country commits to continue to be a reliable and responsible partner, and contributing more proactively and actively to common efforts.
On the occasion, the Vietnamese official had separate meetings with UNESCO General Director Audrey Azoulay, UNESCO Deputy Director-General Xing Qu, Assistant Director-General for Priority Africa and External Relations of UNESCO Firmin Edouard Matoko, UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Natural Sciences Lidia Brito, Chairperson of the UNESCO Executive Board Vera Lacoeuilhe, President of the UNESCO General Conference Simona-Mirela Miculescu, and heads of delegations from several countries, to boost bilateral and multilateral cooperation.
The officials of UNESCO and other delegates valued the fruitful cooperation between Vietnam and UNESCO over nearly five decades, as well as acknowledged the Southeast Asian nation’s important and effective contributions to the organization's common work. They emphasized Vietnam's exemplary role in harmonizing the conservation and promotion of heritage values and sustainable development.
Ngoc also met with Director of the UNESCO World Heritage Center Lazare Assomo, and Director-General of the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) Maria-Laure Lavenir, who pledged to continue supporting Vietnam in building and promoting heritage dossiers in the coming time.
The 220th session of the UNESCO Executive Board will run until October 23, with an agenda covering all areas, including education, culture, science, human resources, management, and external relations.
Source: VNA