Vietnam elected for the third time as a member of the Intergovernmental Committee of the UNESCO Convention 2005

From June 18 to 20, 2025, at UNESCO headquarters (Paris), the 10th session of the General Assembly of the 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions took place. In particular, the session marked Vietnam's re-election for the second consecutive term as a member of the Intergovernmental Committee of the Convention.

Vietnam is currently a member of the Intergovernmental Committee for the 2021-2025 term. At this General Assembly session, the member states of the Convention voted for Vietnam to be re-elected as a member of the Intergovernmental Committee for the 2025-2029 term. This is the first case since the 2005 Convention was established that a country has participated in the Intergovernmental Committee for two consecutive terms. This demonstrates the General Assembly's recognition of Vietnam's efforts and achievements in implementing the 2005 Convention, and at the same time demonstrates Vietnam's active contributions and prestige at the United NationsEducational , Scientific and Cultural Organization.

The 10th General Assembly is of particular significance as it coincides with the 20th anniversary of the adoption of the 2005 Convention. Representatives of 157 Member States and the European Union have reviewed the implementation of the Convention since the 9th General Assembly (2023) to date, through the reports of the Intergovernmental Committee and the Convention Secretariat, and the National Periodicals with a record number of 110 reports received in 2023-2024 - which is the basis for the development of the Fourth Global Report on Reshaping Cultural Policies for Creativity. The General Assembly also reviewed the activities of the International Fund for Cultural Diversity, the recommendations of the two International Expert Groups on the digital environment and preferential treatment for developing countries.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Van Anh, Ambassador, Head of the Permanent Delegation of Vietnam to UNESCO and Dr. Nguyen Phuong Hoa, Director of the Department of International Cooperation, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Countries spent a lot of time analyzing the effectiveness and roadmap for developing a legal instrument (a Protocol) on protecting and promoting the diversity of cultural expressions in the digital environment. In order to promptly and effectively implement the Convention in the face of rapid changes in technology, specifically Artificial Intelligence and its impacts on the creative and cultural industries as well as artists and cultural activists, the General Assembly also agreed to promptly revise and update the Guidelines for the operation of the Convention in the digital environment, helping countries have an implementation orientation in the coming time.

Dr. Nguyen Phuong Hoa, Director of the Department of International Cooperation, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism - the national focal point of the 2005 Convention, represented the session. Speaking at the plenary session, Dr. Nguyen Phuong Hoa emphasized that the 2005 Convention, adopted 20 years ago, was a strong act of will and collective effort of international solidarity. "Cultural expressions are at the core of our identity, representing our communities and our aspirations. Cultural diversity is a common heritage of humanity - which needs to be protected and promoted for present and future generations."

Sharing about Vietnam's efforts in cultural development, Dr. Nguyen Phuong Hoa affirmed that Vietnam's policies always take people as the center, build a healthy cultural environment, nurture creativity, ensure people's rights to enjoy culture, culture is one of the pillars of sustainable development.

View of the 10th General Assembly session

"We need to make more efforts to make culture have a strong presence in the global agenda for sustainable development, especially as the world moves towards the post-2030 agenda framework," said Dr. Nguyen Phuong Hoa.

Immediately after the General Assembly session, the 20th anniversary of the 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions was solemnly and impressively celebrated at Unesco headquarters. The event is considered to be of great significance right before the World Conference on Cultural Policies and Sustainable Development (MONDIACULT 2025) in September in Barcelona.

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In particular, within the framework of her upcoming official visit to Vietnam, UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay will attend the opening ceremony of the 3rd Da Nang Asian Film Festival (DANAFF) - one of the events nominated by Vietnam to participate in the series of activities and events celebrating the 20th anniversary of the 2005 Convention worldwide../.

Source: https://bvhttdl.gov.vn/viet-nam-lan-thu-3-trung-cu-thanh-vien-uy-ban-lien-chinh-phu-cong-uoc-unesco-2005-20250620205121261.htm