UNESCO Pledges Deeper Cooperation with Cambodia on Heritage and Education

PHNOM PENH, May 12, 2026 (KPT) — UNESCO has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening cooperation with Cambodia in cultural heritage preservation and education development, officials said Monday.

UNESCO’s representative in Phnom Penh, Flavio Bonetti, met Prime Minister Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet at the Peace Palace for talks focused on expanding the partnership between the UN agency and the Cambodian government.

Bonetti thanked the Royal Government for its continued support, praising joint efforts to safeguard Cambodia’s cultural heritage and bolster the education sector.

He said UNESCO would deepen collaboration with Cambodian institutions and mobilize international funding and technical expertise to assist with heritage site management.

Discussions also covered education reform, including cooperation with the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport on policy development, teacher training and curriculum improvement aimed at strengthening human capital.

Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet welcomed the partnership, saying UNESCO’s support had contributed to Cambodia’s socio‑economic progress.

He stressed the importance of preserving both tangible and intangible cultural heritage, describing it as valuable not only for Cambodia but for humanity.

The prime minister said his government remained committed to nominating additional cultural sites for UNESCO’s World Heritage List and encouraged the agency to expand cooperation with Cambodian ministries and institutions to deliver broader benefits.