This represents a particularly important international event hosted by the Vietnam Federation of UNESCO Associations (VFUA), drawing the participation of 40 representatives from member countries such as China, the Republic of Korea (RoK), Japan, Italy, Greece, Kazakhstan, and Romania, alongside hundreds of delegates from cultural, educational, and scientific agencies and organizations based in the nation.

In his speech, Nguyen Xuan Thang, president of the Vietnam Federation of UNESCO Associations and ex-officio member of the Executive Board of the WFUCA, emphasized that this conference will mark a new development step of the non-governmental UNESCO movement worldwide, thereby creating new conditions to enhance co-operation and exchange between UNESCO associations and clubs of member countries.

This is together with the aim of enabling more programmes and actions across multiple fields such as education, science, culture, and information and communication in line with UNESCO's pure humanitarian ideology for the common goal of humanity.

A notable highlight of this year's conference was that the delegates shared their experience and discussed the role of cultural industries and the creative economy in promoting economic growth, thereby creating livelihoods and preserving cultural heritage.

Le Quoc Minh, editor-in-chief of Nhan Dan (People) Newspaper, vice chairman of the Party Central Committee’s Commission for Communication and Education, and Chairman of the Vietnam Journalists’ Association, emphasized that in the Government's strategy, culture has been identified as an economic spearhead. This is a new entity, requiring every citizen and manager to change their thinking.

He applauded Quang Ninh’s efforts in promoting the value of Hạ Long Bay, which is a UNESCO-recognized World Natural Heritage, for the purpose of tourism development.

The meeting saw the WFUCA Executive Board and member states report their operation outcomes in the 2023 to 2024 period and they approved the supplementations and amendments of the WFUCA Charter. They also elected leaders of the federation in the new tenure and discussed preparations for the 44th session.

Upon concluding the event, member states released a Hạ Long Declaration on the creative economy, with the aim of connecting culture for the purpose of peace and sustainable development.

The session is expected to make positive contributions aimed at building the future of the cultural industry in the nation, reaffirming the role and persistent efforts of the VFUA after decades of tireless contributions to boosting the development of the cultural industry, creating a favourable environment for international co-operation, and affirming the role of the country in protecting and promoting human cultural values.

The WFUCA Executive Board session is held annually to promote global education, science, culture, and communication. This year, hosted by the VFUA, the 43rd session has become an important forum which seeks to discuss and shape activities in a multitude of fields around the world.

The Cultural Values Council of the VUFA awarded certificates of merit and recognition to individuals and organizations with outstanding contributions to UNESCO movements and promoting cultural heritage values in their fields of operation.

VOV