In a statement released on 19 Nov 2023, His Majesty Preah Bat Samdech Preah Boromneath NORODOM Sihamoni, King of Cambodia, underscored the importance of international cooperation in safeguarding and managing cultural and historical sites inscribed on the World Heritage List. The announcement marks a significant development in Cambodia's diplomatic efforts to preserve its rich heritage, including the iconic Angkor Wat temple complex.
During the Fourth Intergovernmental Conference on Angkor held at UNESCO's headquarters in Paris on 15 November 2023, His Majesty Preah Bat Samdech Preah Boromneath NORODOM Sihamoni engaged with Her Excellency Madame Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO. The audience granted to Her Excellency prior to the Conference allowed the King to express his deep gratitude to UNESCO for its close cooperation in the past, highlighting its significant role in Cambodia's cultural preservation efforts.
The King outlined the main points of the Royal Government's policy, focusing on education and human resource development, particularly in ancestral crafts, fighting against trafficking in artifacts, preparing for future inscriptions of Cambodia's tangible and intangible heritage, establishing a legal framework to preserve Angkor's value, and combating climate change. His Majesty invited UNESCO to utilize its competency and obligations to promote the values of the heritage of humanity, protect local communities, maintain a balance of tourist flows through rigorous management, and preserve the sacred values of the Angkor temples and other heritage sites.
In his keynote address at the Intergovernmental Conference, His Majesty recalled the efforts made by Samdech Techo Hun Sen over 30 years to safeguard and manage cultural and historical sites inscribed on the World Heritage List. He highlighted the commitment of the new Royal Government, under the leadership of Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet, to ensure the continuity of ongoing programs.
The King expressed his gratitude to the French and Japanese co-chairs and ICC-Angkor member countries, particularly the Federal Republic of Germany, the People's Republic of China, the Republic of Korea, the Republic of India, the Republic of Italy, the United States of America, and the United Kingdom, which have set a model of effective multilateral cooperation. He welcomed the renewal of the mandate of the ICC in its current form for another ten years.
Upon conclusion, His Majesty shared his satisfaction over the recent inscription of the Koh Ker site on the World Heritage List. Furthermore, he called upon UNESCO to contribute to the creation of new training programs in education and vocational skills development as prioritized by Samdech Thipadei Prime Minister's action plan.
The renewed commitment from UNESCO demonstrates Cambodia's continued reliance on international cooperation to preserve its rich cultural heritage, underscoring the significance of this partnership for both the nation and the global community.