Phnom penh: Cambodia has called on all UNESCO member states to maintain their joint commitment to protecting and preserving the world's cultural heritage. H.E. Dr. Phoeurng Sackona, Minister of Culture and Fine Arts, made the appeal during the 43rd General Conference of UNESCO held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, on the afternoon of Nov. 3. According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, the Minister referred to the recent clashes along the Cambodian-Thai border that caused serious damage to the Preah Vihear Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. She expressed Cambodia's deep regret over the irreparable loss to this invaluable and rare cultural monument. The Minister also welcomed the signing of the Kuala Lumpur Joint Declaration on the Peace Agreement between Cambodia and Thailand on Oct. 26, 2025. The agreement was supported and witnessed by U.S. President H.E. Donald J. Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister H.E. Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim. H.E. Dr. Phoeurng Sackona reaffirmed the Royal Government of Cambodia's unwavering co mmitment to supporting UNESCO's mission of building peace through education, culture, science, and communication, in line with the Royal Government's Pentagonal Strategy, Phase I. Having experienced genocide and war in the past, Cambodia deeply understands the devastating consequences of conflict and the priceless value of peace as the foundation for sustainable national growth and development. In education, the Minister highlighted Cambodia's focus on promoting basic learning skills, early childhood care, technical and vocational training, lifelong learning, and digital literacy to prepare young people to become strong pillars of the nation. She described them as 'quality bamboo shoots' capable of meeting climate challenges and contributing to national development. Cambodia has ratified all UNESCO cultural conventions, reflecting the country's strong commitment to protecting and promoting cultural heritage, including by preventing and combating the illicit trafficking of antiquities. The Minister also urge d major museums and private collectors to engage in dialogue aimed at returning cultural properties to their countries of origin. Additionally, Cambodia has been working to integrate heritage education into school curricula, strengthen community ownership, and promote the creative industries, which contribute significantly to the empowerment of women and youth and to local economic development. The Kingdom continues to prioritise the conservation and sustainable development of both tangible and intangible world heritage. Cambodia also emphasized the importance of its partnership with UNESCO in advancing education, culture, science, and communication in line with the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. The country called for the promotion of a balanced and ethical information ecosystem and respect for cultural diversity.
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