PHNOM PENH, Cambodia — Cambodia has been elected to the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage for the 2026-2030 term, former Prime Minister Hun Sen announced on Thursday.
According to Hun Sen, the election took place during the 11th General Assembly of the States Parties to the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, held at UNESCO headquarters on 17-18 June. Representatives from 185 state parties participated in the meeting.
Cambodia secured enough votes from member states to win a seat on the committee, which oversees the implementation of UNESCO’s convention on safeguarding intangible cultural heritage worldwide.
The Cambodian delegation was led by Culture and Fine Arts Minister Phoeurng Sackona, who also serves as president of the Cambodian National Commission for UNESCO. The delegation included Long Kosal, Cambodia’s permanent delegate to UNESCO, as well as officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts, and the Cambodian National Commission for UNESCO.
Hun Sen congratulated Cambodia on the achievement, describing it as a recognition of the country’s efforts to preserve and promote its rich cultural heritage.