Cambodia Assures No Obstruction to UNESCO Heritage Bids
Phnom Penh, Cambodia – The Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts has assured that Cambodia will not impede any bids submitted to UNESCO for cultural heritage inscriptions. This statement comes in the wake of Cambodia’s recent election to the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, a body operating under UNESCO’s 2003 Convention. Cambodia is slated to serve on this committee for the 2026-2030 term.
Minister of Culture, Sabeeda Thaised, clarified that UNESCO heritage listings are evaluated through a multilateral process. This process adheres to established international procedures and is heavily reliant on academic evidence. She highlighted that Thailand, with which Cambodia shares significant cultural ties, is already a member of UNESCO’s executive board, having joined in 2025 and continuing its tenure until 2029.
Committee Membership and International Procedures
Minister Thaised emphasized that membership on the committee does not grant any single nation the authority to dictate or unilaterally reject UNESCO’s deliberations. These decisions are governed by rigorous international procedures and a comprehensive academic review process. “No single country can independently object to or challenge another nation’s cultural heritage,” she stated definitively.
The Ministry of Culture expressed strong confidence in the documentation prepared for the proposed inscription of the royal-style Thai national costume and Muay Thai. These applications are reportedly backed by substantial historical records, detailed design knowledge, photographic evidence, and comprehensive documentation illustrating their ongoing significance and practice within Thai society.
Cambodia’s Ministry of Information confirmed the country’s election to the UNESCO committee during a meeting held in Paris between June 17th and 18th.
