Conference discusses world heritage preservation
A conference on the 1972 UNESCO World Heritage Convention and sustainable development linked to the human and ecosystem programme took place in the northern province of Ninh Binh on September 11.
The event, co-organised by the UNESCO World Heritage Centre and the Vietnam UNESCO National Committee, aimed to encourage the Convention member countries to take long-term plans to preserve and develop heritage values, in association with the protection of the ecosystem.
Participants agreed that the preservation of the world’s natural and cultural heritage need to be carried out regularly and continuously, particularly in the context that the risk from global climate change is becoming serious and unexpected.
They stressed that to achieve sustainable development, the member countries are required to design master plans and set up a system to supervise the process of socio-economic construction and development, to avoid negative impact on the heritage.
They also highlighted the need for effective measures to balance the heritage preservation and the economic development as well as tourist attraction.
Addressing the conference, Pham Cao Phong, Secretary General of the Vietnam UNESCO National Committee assessed that during the past 25 years, ministries, sectors, local governments and related agencies of Vietnam have effectively implemented the Convention.
Many policies related to the field have been applied widely and deeply, contributing to promoting the image of UNESCO as well as protecting the country’s quintessence to transfer to younger generations.
On the occasion, the Committee made a proposal to establish a network to supervise, preserve and develop world heritages in Southeast Asia, aiming to raise public awareness and responsibility towards the heritage, encouraging them to protect the environment, thus developing the tourism industry in a sustainable manner.