The election results were released on November 19 at the 19th session of the General Assembly of States Parties to the World Heritage Convention held in Paris, France.
Associate Professor Dang Van Bai, a member of the Vietnam National Cultural Heritage Council, described the election as a great honour for Vietnam, as the WHC is one of the most important UNESCO professional committees.
The WHC makes decisions on significant issues regarding the recognition of cultural and natural heritage and the evaluation of the state of world heritage sites around the world. It also sets the guidelines, policies and development orientations of the World Heritage Convention.
Vietnam ratified the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage in 1987, and so far the country has had seven instances of cultural and natural heritage added to the UNESCO world heritage list.
Bai attributed the WHC membership to the country’s ceaseless efforts to enhance the management and protection of outstanding universal values, integrity, and the authenticity of world heritage sites, not only in Vietnam but for all of humankind.
Vietnam has also proactively partnered with many countries, especially those in the Asia-Pacific region, to organise international events, seminars and training courses in the field.
The establishment of a working team competent for the management and conservation of world heritage allows Vietnam to confidently take on new responsibilities as a WHC member, Bai noted.
The country will enhance experience and information exchanges and support other countries – especially those in Southeast Asia and other developing countries – in the management and protection of world heritage sites.
At the same time, it will promote public awareness of world heritage and encourage all parties to participate in heritage preservation.
The country will conduct in-depth research and facilitate the sharing of knowledge on the outstanding universal values of world heritage sites, Bai said.
