HCMC – Vietnam has been re-elected to the Intergovernmental Committee of UNESCO’s 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions for the 2025–2029 term, becoming the first country to serve two consecutive terms on the committee.
The re-election was confirmed at the 10th session of the Conference of Parties to the 2005 Convention, which took place from June 18 to 20 at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris.
The achievement reflects growing trust from UNESCO members in Vietnam’s contributions to fostering cultural expressions, both nationally and globally. It also highlights the country’s active engagement and rising profile in multilateral cultural diplomacy.
The session, which gathered representatives from 157 member countries and the European Union, was held in conjunction with the 20th anniversary of the 2005 Convention. Participants reviewed progress made since the last session in 2023, and explored ways to enhance implementation of the Convention amid ongoing digital transformation and challenges to cultural diversity.
Discussions emphasized the need to revise and update the Convention’s implementation guidelines to better reflect the digital environment. Delegates agreed that updated guidance would enable member countries to navigate the evolving landscape of cultural expression and ensure cultural diversity is protected in the digital age.
Vietnam’s delegation to the conference included Ambassador Nguyen Thi Van Anh, head of the Permanent Delegation to UNESCO, and Dr. Nguyen Phuong Hoa, director general of the Department of International Cooperation under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
In her address to the plenary session, Dr. Hoa underscored the vital role of culture in shaping identity and fostering sustainable development. “Cultural expressions are the core of our identity and the voice of communities. Cultural diversity is a shared heritage of humankind and must be preserved and promoted for both present and future generations,” she said.
Hoa also highlighted Vietnam’s commitment to people-centered cultural policies, which prioritize access to culture, nurture creativity, and ensure the rights of all citizens to cultural participation. She reaffirmed that culture remains one of the key pillars in Vietnam’s approach to sustainable development.
