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• 1 hour ago• Lim_Rothanaksambath
UNESCO Releases Report on Preah Vihear Temple Damage Following 2025 Border Conflict
PHNOM PENH, September 9, 2026 – The World Heritage Centre has published the joint advisory mission report by UNESCO and the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) on the damage sustained by the Temple of Preah Vihear during the 2025 Cambodia-Thailand border conflict.
The report, titled "Joint WHC-ICOMOS Advisory Mission to the Temple of Preah Vihear (Cambodia)", was made public on the UNESCO World Heritage Centre's website following an invitation from the Cambodian government. The joint mission, conducted from March 1 to 6, 2026, confirmed that the World Heritage site suffered severe damage to its integrity, authenticity, and Outstanding Universal Value as a result of armed clashes in July and December 2025.
Preliminary assessments identified 562 distinct points of damage across the temple complex, with 142 locations damaged during the July attacks and 420 additional locations damaged in December. The attacks severely compromised the structural integrity of the temple, damaged its intricate carvings, and threatened its Outstanding Universal Value.
The Royal Government of Cambodia has reaffirmed its commitment to restoring and protecting the temple. At the 11th plenary session of the International Coordinating Committee for the Safeguarding and Development of the Preah Vihear Temple (ICC-Preah Vihear), held in Siem Reap on March 19, 2026, Cambodia presented an emergency conservation plan. The plan includes clearing unexploded ordnance, preparing a risk analysis document, and documenting affected artifacts to implement urgent rescue measures.
UNESCO and ICOMOS have reaffirmed their commitment to working with Cambodia to protect and preserve the temple for future generations. The full report is now available on the UNESCO World Heritage Centre website.
— Source: Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts / UNESCO World Heritage Centre
Reported by The Khmer Daily Network
The report, titled "Joint WHC-ICOMOS Advisory Mission to the Temple of Preah Vihear (Cambodia)", was made public on the UNESCO World Heritage Centre's website following an invitation from the Cambodian government. The joint mission, conducted from March 1 to 6, 2026, confirmed that the World Heritage site suffered severe damage to its integrity, authenticity, and Outstanding Universal Value as a result of armed clashes in July and December 2025.
Preliminary assessments identified 562 distinct points of damage across the temple complex, with 142 locations damaged during the July attacks and 420 additional locations damaged in December. The attacks severely compromised the structural integrity of the temple, damaged its intricate carvings, and threatened its Outstanding Universal Value.
The Royal Government of Cambodia has reaffirmed its commitment to restoring and protecting the temple. At the 11th plenary session of the International Coordinating Committee for the Safeguarding and Development of the Preah Vihear Temple (ICC-Preah Vihear), held in Siem Reap on March 19, 2026, Cambodia presented an emergency conservation plan. The plan includes clearing unexploded ordnance, preparing a risk analysis document, and documenting affected artifacts to implement urgent rescue measures.
UNESCO and ICOMOS have reaffirmed their commitment to working with Cambodia to protect and preserve the temple for future generations. The full report is now available on the UNESCO World Heritage Centre website.
— Source: Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts / UNESCO World Heritage Centre
Reported by The Khmer Daily Network
