Cambodia elected to UNESCO committee for the upcoming 2026-2030 term, marking a historic milestone for the Kingdom’s cultural diplomacy. Former Prime Minister Hun Sen officially announced the victory on Thursday, celebrating it as a major international achievement.
The successful election took place during the 11th General Assembly of the States Parties to the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. Held at the UNESCO headquarters on June 17–18, the high-level meeting brought together diplomatic representatives from 185 state parties.
Securing Global Trust and Committee Mandate
Cambodia secured a decisive number of votes from member states to win its seat on the prestigious intergovernmental committee. Consequently, the Kingdom will now play a direct role in overseeing the global implementation of UNESCO’s core convention on safeguarding living heritage worldwide.
The mandate allows Cambodia to actively contribute to international decision-making regarding the inscription of cultural practices, oral traditions, performing arts, and traditional craftsmanship onto humanity’s heritage lists. Furthermore, Hun Sen warmly congratulated the nation on this massive success. He described the election as a clear global recognition of the country’s dedicated efforts to preserve and promote its deeply rich cultural heritage.
High-Level Representation at UNESCO Headquarters
A distinguished diplomatic team represented the nation during the voting session in Paris. The Cambodian delegation was led by Culture and Fine Arts Minister Phoeurng Sackona, who also serves as the president of the Cambodian National Commission for UNESCO.
The strategic delegation included several key officials:
- Long Kosal: Cambodia’s permanent delegate to UNESCO.
- Ministry Representatives: Senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
- Cultural Diplomats: Representatives from the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts.
- Institutional Experts: Officials from the Cambodian National Commission for UNESCO.
The collaborative presence of these ministries highlights Cambodia’s unified approach to international cultural governance. Moving forward into the 2026-2030 term, the Kingdom is structurally positioned to elevate the profile of Southeast Asian living heritage on the global stage.
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