Hanoi, June 28, 2025 – The Europe Today: General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Tô Lâm has reaffirmed the country’s strong commitment to multilateralism and the pivotal role of UNESCO, pledging increased contributions to the organisation’s governance mechanisms and seeking continued support in key sectors such as education, science, culture, and communications.
During a reception held in Hanoi on June 27 for UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay, who is currently on an official visit to Vietnam, the Party chief extended heartfelt appreciation for UNESCO’s longstanding support, particularly in the recognition of 72 titles across the nation. He emphasized that these recognitions are valuable national assets contributing significantly to sustainable socio-economic development, improved livelihoods, and cultural preservation.
As Việt Nam transitions into a new era — one focused on national elevation with the goal of becoming a developed, high-income country by 2045 — the General Secretary underlined the nation’s commitment to further integrating into global political and economic frameworks and promoting human civilisation. He reiterated Việt Nam’s active contribution to regional and global peace, stability, and development.
In this context, Tô Lâm called for continued UNESCO support in Vietnam’s integration journey, including experience sharing, resource mobilisation for socio-economic progress, and advancing humanistic and cultural values aligned with both parties’ goals.
He also appealed to UNESCO to remain a trusted partner in safeguarding and promoting the country’s rich cultural heritage. Specifically, he requested UNESCO’s support for the ongoing preservation and value promotion dossier of the Thăng Long Imperial Citadel, the nomination of the Yên Tử – Vĩnh Nghiêm – Côn Sơn – Kiếp Bạc Complex for World Heritage status in July, as well as for other proposals such as the urgent safeguarding of Đông Hồ folk paintings as intangible cultural heritage. Furthermore, he encouraged UNESCO’s assistance in the inclusion of Hồ Chí Minh City and Hà Nội in its global networks of creative and learning cities.
The Party leader also voiced strong support for UNESCO’s mid-term vision and strategy for the 2022–2029 period, its strategic transformation agenda, and priority cooperation initiatives — especially in emerging areas like artificial intelligence.
For her part, Director-General Audrey Azoulay praised nearly five decades of fruitful collaboration with Vietnam, describing the country as one of UNESCO’s most dynamic and committed members. She noted that Vietnam–UNESCO relations have reached an unprecedented level of strength.
Azoulay expressed appreciation for Vietnam’s unwavering support and active engagement, which she said reflects the trust and confidence of both UNESCO and its member states in Vietnam’s leadership and contributions. She commended the country’s socio-economic achievements and lauded the strategic reforms implemented by the Vietnamese Party and State, which she described as vital drivers of national development.
Highlighting the significance of Vietnam’s cultural heritage and its recognition on the global stage, Azoulay stated that this not only affirms the country’s cultural identity but also showcases its role in enriching global civilisation. She affirmed UNESCO’s commitment to supporting Vietnam’s heritage conservation efforts, future nominations, and the development of its cultural industries.
UNESCO, she pledged, will remain a steadfast partner in Vietnam’s journey towards sustainable development and global engagement.
