Focus sharpens on preservation of cultural gems

THE member countries of the International Coordinating Committee for the Safeguarding and Development of Preah Vihear (ICC-Preah Vihear) have pledged to enhance conservation efforts for Cambodia’s Preah Vihear and Koh Ker temple complexes.

These nations, providing financial and technical aid to the National Authority for Preah Vihear (NAPV), solidified their commitment during the recently held eighth plenary and technical meeting of the ICC-Preah Vihear.

Chaired by Minister of Culture and Fine Arts Phoeurng Sackona, along with Zhu Ye, deputy director-general of China’s National Cultural Heritage Administration, and Indian embassy first secretary Richhpal Singh, the meeting included representatives from Belgium, France, Japan, Thailand and the US. Also in attendance were around 100 individuals from national and international institutions, including the APSARA National Authority (ANA), the National Authority for Sambor Prei Kuk (NASPK) and global researchers.

An NAPV press release issued on December 12 said the meeting focused on overseeing the conservation and development of the Preah Vihear and Koh Ker heritage sites. These initiatives are collaboratively undertaken by NAPV and international partners.

“The member countries of ICC-Preah Vihear extend congratulations to Cambodia for successfully inscribing the archaeological site of Koh Ker onto the UNESCO World Heritage list. This achievement enhances international attention towards conservation efforts conducted within the ICC-Preah Vihear framework,” said the NAPV.

The release stated that ICCPreah Vihear member countries provided financial and technical support to NAPV’s implementation efforts. Since 2018, the US has allocated $767,000 for renovating the northern staircase, managed by the NAPV. India is progressively renovating the fifth gopura, a monumental entrance tower, at the Preah Vihear Temple.

China is studying the renovation of the first, second and third gopuras of the temple, initiating repairs under a grant from the Chinese government.

The statement mentioned a forthcoming meeting on March 19, 2024, during which the NAPV and ICC-Preah Vihear will monitor progress and provide additional recommendations for conserving the Preah Vihear and Koh Ker temple complexes.