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• 5 hours ago• Lim_Rothanaksambath
UNESCO Pledges Cultural Mediation Support for Preah Vihear as Cambodia Eyes Intangible Heritage Hosting
PHNOM PENH, July 21, 2026 – Cambodia has secured a pledge from UNESCO to continue monitoring the Preah Vihear Temple situation and to use cultural channels to help ease border tensions, following a high-level meeting in Busan.
H.E. Dr. Phoeurng Sackona, Minister of Culture and Fine Arts, met with UNESCO Deputy Director-General for Culture Nayef Al-Fayez on July 21 during the 48th World Heritage Committee session in the Republic of Korea.
The Cambodian minister welcomed the Deputy Director-General's recent appointment and thanked UNESCO for its expert mission to Preah Vihear Temple, which took place from March 1-6, 2026. She commended the resulting report for its technical thoroughness and accurate reflection of the situation on the ground.
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Dr. Phoeurng Sackona also informed the UNESCO official of Cambodia's interest in hosting a session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage during its 2026-2030 term as a committee member.
Deputy Director-General Al-Fayez expressed support for Cambodia's hosting aspirations and confirmed UNESCO's continued engagement in monitoring the Preah Vihear situation. He emphasised the organisation's readiness to use cultural diplomacy as a means to reduce tensions between Cambodia and Thailand.
— Source: Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts
Reported by The Khmer Daily Network
H.E. Dr. Phoeurng Sackona, Minister of Culture and Fine Arts, met with UNESCO Deputy Director-General for Culture Nayef Al-Fayez on July 21 during the 48th World Heritage Committee session in the Republic of Korea.
The Cambodian minister welcomed the Deputy Director-General's recent appointment and thanked UNESCO for its expert mission to Preah Vihear Temple, which took place from March 1-6, 2026. She commended the resulting report for its technical thoroughness and accurate reflection of the situation on the ground.
Images-Content-0824Dr. Phoeurng Sackona also informed the UNESCO official of Cambodia's interest in hosting a session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage during its 2026-2030 term as a committee member.
Deputy Director-General Al-Fayez expressed support for Cambodia's hosting aspirations and confirmed UNESCO's continued engagement in monitoring the Preah Vihear situation. He emphasised the organisation's readiness to use cultural diplomacy as a means to reduce tensions between Cambodia and Thailand.
— Source: Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts
Reported by The Khmer Daily Network
