Vietnam re-elected Vice Chair of 43rd UNESCO General Conference

Being entrusted with this position for two consecutive sessions-the 42nd and 43rd-demonstrating Vietnam’s growing standing, credibility and contributions within global multilateral institutions, while affirming the international community’s confidence in the nation’s proactive, responsible role and leadership capacity within UNESCO.

The General Conference, UNESCO’s highest decision-making body, comprises all 194 member states and holds the authority to decide on the organization’s strategic matters, including policies, cooperation programs, the medium-term budget, and the election of UNESCO’s governing bodies. Vietnam’s election as Vice President contributes to strengthening its substantive role in policy-making, coordinating, and implementing UNESCO initiatives across education, culture, natural sciences, social sciences, and information and communication.

Speaking at the high-level plenary session of the General Conference on November 4, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Head of Vietnam’s delegation to the session Ngo Le Van, praised UNESCO’s role and contributions over the past 80 years since its founding in 1945 in promoting peace, mutual understanding among peoples, and sustainable development worldwide, noting that UNESCO has firmly established itself as the “House of Wisdom.”

In the context of unprecedented global challenges, the Deputy Minister stressed that UNESCO should further strengthen its distinctive role, reinforce multilateralism and international solidarity, and promote inclusive and innovative approaches. Deputy Minister Ngo Le Van also hailed UNESCO’s efforts and achievements in boosting international cooperation in education, culture, science, and information and communication.

On this occasion, the Deputy FM highlighted Vietnam’s policies, priorities, and initiatives. In education, the Vietnamese Government has decided to waive tuition fees for all students at public educational institutions for the 2025-2026 academic year, as part of a major reform to build an inclusive, equitable, and high-quality education system.

Vietnamese delegation at the session

In culture, Vietnam emphasizes that culture must become a pillar of peace, progress, and prosperity. Culture is both the foundation and an intrinsic driver of sustainable development. In this spirit, Vietnam proposed that UNESCO recommend to the United Nations the early launch of the “International Decade of Culture for Sustainable Development.” At the national level, Vietnam is drafting a resolution on the revitalization and development of Vietnamese culture in the new era.

On science, Van shared that Vietnam is vigorously implementing its national policies on science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation, viewing them as key drivers for breakthrough development.

In October, Vietnam successfully hosted the signing ceremony of the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime, attended by 72 countries, one of the largest international treaty signings in the past decade alongside celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the UNESCO International Hydrological Programme and the 60th anniversary of the UNESCO Water Science Programme. These events demonstrate Vietnam’s commitment and determination to make positive contributions to global digital security and water security.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ngo Le Van meets UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay

The head of the Vietnam delegation expressed great joy and hailed the country’s recent contributions to UNESCO’s recognition ecosystem, including the World Cultural Heritage designation of the Yen Tu-Vinh Nghiem-Con Son and Kiep Bac relic and scenic sites (July 2025), Ho Chi Minh City being named a UNESCO Creative City in the field of film (October 2025), and UNESCO’s commemoration of the 300th anniversary of the birth of scholar Le Quy Don (October 2025). These achievements are not only an honor for Vietnam but also honour the universal values of cultural diversity and innovation.

On the occasion of the session, Van met with Audrey Azoulay, the incumbent Director-General of UNESCO. During a meeting with Khaled El-Enany, the newly appointed Director-General of UNESCO for the 2025 2029 term, the Deputy Minister delivered a letter from Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung congratulating him and extending an invitation to visit Vietnam in the near future.

The Deputy FM also met with Khondker M. Talha, President of the 43rd Session of the UNESCO General Conference; Aloyev Bakhromjon Juraboyevich, First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the host country Uzbekistan; as well as UNESCO leaders and heads of delegations from several member states to discuss measures to beef up Vietnam’s cooperation with UNESCO and other countries, while garnering support for Vietnam’s UNESCO initiatives and nomination dossiers.

International partners acknowledged and highly valued Vietnam’s socio-economic development achievements, as well as its increasingly active and substantive contributions to UNESCO, the United Nations, and other multilateral forums.