Solemn appeals for the preservation of the heritage of
humanity and colourful cultural performances marked the opening of the 37th
session of the World Heritage Committee in Phnom Penh on 16 June.
The opening ceremony was marked by the moving return to
Cambodia of two major art treasures of the 10th century by Emily K. Rafferty,
President of the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art (USA). The statues,
brought back to Cambodia on 11 June were handed over to Prime Minister Samdech
Techo Hun Sen, who stressed the central role of heritage preservation in
national reconstruction and economic development.
UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova said: “We are all
encouraged by the historic voluntary restitution of two important Khmer Pandava
statues by the Metropolitan Museum of New York to the people of Cambodia. This
restitution is an expression of strong ethical and moral behaviour that
provides an example of good practice to other museums and collectors […] UNESCO
is honoured to have contributed to this restitution, which is, I believe, a
move towards greater respect and mutual understanding.”
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| Opening ceremony 16/06/13 [Image credit: Unesco] |
The opening of the session was a celebration of cultural
heritage, notably that of Cambodia whose World Heritage site of Angkor is a
world famous icon. The Director-General of UNESCO spoke of the success of
international cooperation in safeguarding the site saying that “Angkor stands,
indeed, as testimony to the power of solidarity and political will. We need the
same leadership today, to protect cultural heritage under attack in regions
across the globe -- in Mali, in Syria, in Central African Republic and elsewhere.”
Deputy Prime Minister, Sok An, Chairperson of the World
Heritage Committee was a key speaker at the opening of the session and he
insisted on the need to preserve the “universal dimension of the Committee’s
work.”
He voiced concern
for the Committee’s ability to continue its important work under current
financial restrictions and launched a strong appeal on States Parties to the
World Heritage Convention to find the resources needed.
Alissandra Cummins, Chairperson of UNESCO’s Executive
Board, and Katalin Bogyay, President of UNESCO’s General Conference also took
part in the opening ceremony of the World Heritage session which is bringing
together some 1,400 delegates from 121 countries, and a press corps of more
than 550 from 17 countries.
The opening marked the beginning of a 12-day session that
will be devoted not just to the inscription of new sites on the World Heritage
List, but also to a review of the conservation of properties already on the
List. Particular attention will be paid to the World Heritage sites of Mali
that were severely damaged during the occupation of the northern part of the
country last year and earlier this year, and to the sites of the Syrian Arab
Republic that are also prey to damage from strife.
The Malian World Heritage sites will also be the focus of
attention during the Annual African Ministers’ Roundtable on World Heritage
scheduled for 17 June. Nine culture ministers are to take part in the event,
including Bruno Maiga, Culture Minister of Mali.
Media contacts in Phnom Penh during the session: Agnès
Bardon, a.bardon@unesco.org +855 239 694 28 and Roni Amelan,
r.amelan@unesco.org +855 95 440 774
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