Viet Nam and UNESCO celebrate nearly half a century of partnership with a historic visit and a new agreement to foster culture and education initiatives.
President of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam and Secretary General of the Communist Party of Viet Nam, and Audrey Azoulay, Directrice General of UNESCO
On 7 October 2024, H.E. Mr. Tô Lâm, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam and President of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, paid an official visit to UNESCO Headquarters where he held talks with the Director-General of UNESCO, Audrey Azoulay. This was the first time that a senior Vietnamese party leader and head of state visited UNESCO since the reunified Viet Nam became a member of the Organization in 1976, a year before its accession to the United Nations.
The visit was an excellent opportunity for both sides to review, at the highest level, the nearly half-century partnership between UNESCO and Viet Nam and outline its future progress. On this occasion, the Director-General commended Viet Nam’s leadership in protecting natural and cultural heritage, as well as ensuring access to quality education for all.
UNESCO stands ready to support its Member States, including Viet Nam, in integrating disaster risk management and education for sustainable development into educational programmes. In this context, the Director-General welcomed the establishment of the UNESCO Chair on Environmental Leadership, Cultural Heritage and Biodiversity at the University of Vin, the first UNESCO Chair ever established in Viet Nam.
UNESCO and SOVICO Sign New Framework Agreement to Strengthen Partnership
The Director-General also welcomed the signing of a new agreement with the SOVICO Group that outlines joint efforts to support UNESCO’s Culture Programme, with a focus on creativity and the arts, and its Education Programme.
This agreement marks a significant milestone, with SOVICO committing an additional USD 1.5 million over five years, raising its total contribution to USD 3.3 million. The partnership also represents a historic achievement – the first direct partnership between a UN entity and a Vietnamese business since Viet Nam joined the United Nations.
The new agreement outlines joint efforts to support UNESCO’s Culture Programme, with a focus on creativity and the arts, as well as the Education Programme. It also opens the door for future cooperation in other areas such as Natural Sciences, Social and Human Sciences, and Communication and Information, furthering UNESCO’s work in Viet Nam.
Signature of the agreement
Dr. Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao, Chairwoman of SOVICO Group, emphasized the significance of the partnership, stating:
“This 10-year strategic cooperation aims to foster a long-term partnership across various fields, with a priority on promoting Viet Nam’s cultural activities through the UNESCO Creative Cities Network and advancing the education program, including the 'Happy School' framework. This agreement lays the foundation for both parties to achieve sustainable development goals rooted in Viet Nam’s cultural, historical, and traditional values, while also fostering global impact for a better future.”
Since 2020, SOVICO has actively contributed to two key UNESCO initiatives. The first project, "Mobilizing Cultural Dynamics and Youth Participation for the Ha Noi Creative Capital," engages young people in creative projects to aid Hanoi’s post-pandemic recovery. This initiative is part of a broader "Viet Nam Creative Belt" strategy to expand UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network nationwide.
The second project, "Empowering Youth and Local Women for Stronger Connections and Greater Local Benefits at UNESCO World Heritage Sites and Creative Cities in Viet Nam," centers around empowering youth and women to strengthen and enrich local communities.
In addition to these projects, UNESCO has advised SOVICO on refining its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategy, organizing it around three key pillars: Culture and Society, Education and Innovation, and Environment and Resilience. This approach aims to amplify SOVICO’s impact on youth, culture, and creativity in Viet Nam.
The signing of this new Framework Agreement strengthens the ongoing collaboration between UNESCO and SOVICO, ensuring future initiatives in culture, education, and beyond.