UNESCO Pledges Support for Preah Vihear Restoration

PHNOM PENH, April 30, 2026 (KPT) — UNESCO has pledged to work closely with Cambodian institutions to restore and preserve heritage sites damaged by past conflicts, including the Preah Vihear Temple, officials said Wednesday.

Flavio Bonetti, UNESCO’s representative in Phnom Penh, expressed regret over the destruction and reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to supporting Cambodia’s efforts in cultural preservation.

He said UNESCO would continue to assist both tangible and intangible heritage protection while strengthening cooperation with the Ministry of Education.

The pledge came during talks with Senate President Samdech Techo Hun Sen at the Samakki Peace Palace.

Samdech Techo welcomed UNESCO’s support and called for deeper collaboration in education and heritage protection, stressing that human capital development is the foundation of a resilient economy.

He noted Cambodia’s progress in rebuilding its education system from “zero” after decades of conflict.

Samdech Techo Hun Sen also highlighted UNESCO’s role in safeguarding Cambodia’s cultural heritage and supporting new World Heritage listings.

He said protecting sites affected by conflict, such as Preah Vihear, remained a priority for the country.

Bonetti reaffirmed that UNESCO would continue to foster dialogue among government, media and development partners to ensure reforms strengthen, rather than hinder, the media and cultural ecosystem.

The meeting reflected Cambodia’s broader strategy to link education reform with cultural resilience, positioning heritage protection as a pillar of national identity and sustainable development.