This is a particularly important international event hosted by the Vietnam Federation of UNESCO Associations, bringing together 40 representatives from member countries of the World Federation of UNESCO Associations (WFUCA) such as China, Korea, Japan, Italy, Greece, Kazakhstan, Romania... along with hundreds of delegates from prestigious agencies, departments, cultural, educational and scientific organizations in Vietnam.

Mr. Nguyen Xuan Thang - President of the Vietnam Federation of UNESCO Associations, ex-officio member of the WFUCA Executive Committee, delivered the opening speech at the Conference. (Photo: Thuy Ha)

The WFUCA Executive Committee Meeting is held annually to promote global education, science, culture and communication.

This year, hosted by the Vietnam Federation of UNESCO Associations, the 43rd Conference has become an important forum to discuss and shape activities in many fields globally.

Speaking at the opening of the Conference, Mr. Nguyen Xuan Thang - President of the Vietnam Federation of UNESCO Associations, ex-officio member of the WFUCA Executive Committee, said that WFUCA was established in 1981 with the function of coordinating the UNESCO non-governmental movement worldwide, is an organization with official relations with UNESCO, and is supported by UNESCO to develop the UNESCO non-governmental movement.

Mr. Nguyen Xuan Thang emphasized: “The Vietnam Federation of UNESCO Associations joined the WFUCA network in 1999, 25 years ago.

I am pleased to see that, under the guidance and coordination of the WFUCA common home, the UNESCO non-governmental movement is increasingly consolidated and developed with rich and diverse programs of activities, contributing meaningfully to promoting UNESCO's priorities.

Domestic and foreign delegates attending the Conference. (Photo: Le An)

According to Mr. Nguyen Xuan Thang, the 43rd WFUCA Executive Board Conference is an important international event, gathering members representing thousands of UNESCO associations and clubs around the world, representing the voice of millions of people who love and support the noble ideals of UNESCO.

He also hopes that this Conference will mark a new development step of the non-governmental UNESCO movement worldwide, creating new conditions to enhance cooperation and exchange between UNESCO associations and clubs of member countries, together aiming for larger programs and activities, spreading more strongly in the fields of Education, Science, Culture and Information and Communication according to UNESCO's pure humanitarian ideology for the common goal of humanity.

For its part, the Vietnam UNESCO Federation always wishes to expand cooperation, exchange and dialogue with all members of WFUCA in areas of mutual interest.

Sharing here, Mr. Bolat Akchulakov, President of the World Federation of UNESCO Associations, highly appreciated Vietnam's role and overall contribution to the UNESCO movement.

Quan Ho singers at the Conference Opening Ceremony. (Photo: Le An)

Thanking Vietnam for hosting the 43rd Conference, Mr. Bolat Akchukakov also believed that the Conference would create opportunities for representatives of the UNESCO movement network, leaders, experts, scientists, businesses and individuals at home and abroad to connect, meet, exchange, share experiences, models and solutions to strongly develop the cultural industry in a sustainable and creative direction, protecting cultural identity and diversity.

Local representative, Ms. Nguyen Thi Hanh, Vice Chairwoman of Quang Ninh Provincial People's Committee expressed her honor that the Conference was held in Ha Long city, where the World Natural Heritage Ha Long Bay has been honored by UNESCO three times for its outstanding global values ​​of landscape and geological beauty.

In particular, this year 2024 is the 30th anniversary of Vietnam's Ha Long Bay being recognized by UNESCO as a World Natural Heritage for the first time (1994).

At the Executive Committee meeting, WFUCA member countries reported, summarized and evaluated implementation activities in the 2023-2024 period; approved, amended and supplemented the Charter of the World Federation of UNESCO Associations; elected leadership positions for the new term and discussed a number of contents related to preparations for the 44th Conference.

A notable highlight of this year's Conference was the delegates sharing experiences and discussing the role of cultural industries and the creative economy in promoting economic growth, creating livelihoods and preserving cultural heritage.

Delegates discuss at the Conference. (Photo: Le An)

At the end of this conference, member countries will issue the Ha Long Declaration on "Creative Economy - Connecting Culture for Peace and Sustainable Development".

Also at the event, the Cultural Values ​​Council of the Vietnam Federation of UNESCO Associations will award certificates of merit and recognition to individuals and organizations with many contributions to UNESCO movements, promoting cultural heritage values ​​in their fields of operation.