Flavio Bonetti, the newly appointed UNESCO Representative to Cambodia, met with Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Prak Sokhonn on January 21. No mention was made of possible measures related to the damage to the Preah Vihear temple caused by Thai shelling and airstrikes.
During the meeting, Sokhonn noted that Bonetti’s presence reflects the value Cambodia places on its enduring partnership with UNESCO. He thanked UNESCO for its efforts and continued support for Cambodia, especially in promoting the country’s development priorities in the fields of education, culture, science, innovation, the environment and heritage conservation.
He also highlighted the importance of UNESCO’s technical assistance in protecting the Preah Vihear Temple, a listed World Heritage Site. However, there was no mention of whether UNESCO would take specific measures or provide further assistance to repair the temple, which suffered severe damage during the recent Cambodia-Thailand conflict.
“No country understands the value of peace better than Cambodia, as Cambodia suffered through the flames of war and a genocidal regime for many years,” he told Bonetti.
Deputy Prime Minister Sokhonn reaffirmed Cambodia’s firm commitment to continue strengthening its partnership and close cooperation with UNESCO in the future.
Bonetti expressed his commitment to strengthening cooperation and continuing efforts to participate in heritage conservation and related sectors, such as education, the environment, science and innovation, as well as promoting peace and sustainable development.
