HCMC – Party General Secretary To Lam met with Audrey Azoulay, director-general of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), in Hanoi on June 27 as part of her official visit to Vietnam.
At the meeting, Lam welcomed Azoulay’s return to Vietnam following her first official visit in September 2022. He recalled their meeting at UNESCO headquarters in October 2024, where the two sides held effective exchanges and agreed to enhance the Vietnam–UNESCO partnership.
Lam highlighted UNESCO’s increasing influence over the past 80 years as a platform for intellectual dialogue and multilateralism, contributing to peace, security, and sustainable development, especially amid growing global uncertainties.
The Vietnamese leader praised Azoulay’s leadership over two terms, noting UNESCO’s enhanced global role and presence in key international mechanisms such as the G7, G20, and the Summit of the Future.
Vietnam expressed strong support for UNESCO’s Medium-Term Strategy for 2022–2029, its internal transformation plan, and priority initiatives, especially in emerging areas such as artificial intelligence.
Lam appreciated UNESCO’s contributions to Vietnam, noting that 72 titles recognized by UNESCO across the country have provided valuable resources for sustainable development, cultural preservation, and improved livelihoods.
He called on UNESCO to continue supporting Vietnam in education, science, culture, media, and sustainable socio-economic development, and to help promote shared values aligned with both UNESCO’s and Vietnam’s priorities.
Vietnam also requested UNESCO’s support for several ongoing and upcoming nominations, including the Thang Long Imperial Citadel, Yen Tu – Vinh Nghiem – Con Son – Kiep Bac relic complex, Dong Ho folk paintings, and the inclusion of HCMC and Hanoi in UNESCO’s global networks.
Audrey Azoulay welcomed the strong and growing ties with Vietnam over the past five decades, describing the current level of cooperation as the most positive to date.
She expressed appreciation for Vietnam’s active engagement in UNESCO and reaffirmed its key roles in global mechanisms as a reflection of international trust.
Azoulay praised Vietnam’s socio-economic progress and cited several recent national reforms, including universal public school tuition starting in 2025, digital transformation strategies, and support for private sector participation in UNESCO programs.
She noted that recent UNESCO recognitions, such as Lang Son Global Geopark and new creative and learning cities, reflect international appreciation for Vietnam’s cultural values and development priorities.
Azoulay reaffirmed UNESCO’s commitment to assisting Vietnam in heritage protection, sustainable conservation, and development of its cultural industries.
