Unofficial translation
Remarks
by
His Excellency Dr. SOK An, Deputy Prime Minister,
Minister in charge of the Office of the Council of Ministers
At theGala Dinner Reception for Fundraising of “Youth in the Cause of Motherland”
Phnom Penh, 9March 2013
œœœ
- ExcellenciesSenior Ministers, Ministers,
- Excellencies,LokChumteav,LokOkhna
- DistinguishedNational and International Guests,Ladies and Gentlemen, anddear Youth,
Today my wife and I are very pleased to be with you all, particularly youth from the Union of Youth Federation of Cambodia, at the Gala Dinner Reception for fundraising of “Youth in the Cause of Motherland.”I would like to commend and highly appreciate for initiatives and efforts made by Mr. Hun Many and the leadership of the Union of Youth Federation of Cambodia, with assistance and support from government institutions, private companies and enterprises, associations, non-governmental organizations and generous individualsin organizing this meaningfulevent.
Today’s gathering is an important event reflectingthe bright initiatives and ongoing achievements of the Union of Youth Federation of Cambodia which Ihave been proud ofand lent my unwavering support since its inception. We are very glad to have witnessed that Cambodia’syouth are involved intheir noble activitiesin order to contribute to sustainable development of the country with remarkable outcomes.
I attentively listened to the welcoming remarks and reports by Mr. Hun Many, the President of the Union of Youth Federation of Cambodia, which have highlighted important achievements, as well as presented future perspectives. I would like to express my high appreciation forthe consecutive achievements made through major activities of the Union of Youth Federation of Cambodia, such as the promotion of youth understanding of Cambodian history, the encouragement of youth participation in social and humanitarian work andsupport for youth in the fields of education, vocational training, sports, as well as the access to information on labour markets, etc. These activities are of very essence in the context of sustainable development, which requires roles and active participation ofyouth in contributing to address challenges in socio-economic development process.By joining with the Royal Government, the youth participation not only contributesto developing the country, but it also receives a great opportunityfor themto improve their abilities in order to become the pillars of our nation and to be the real “bamboo shoots”. In this regard, the Royal Government of Cambodia under the wise leadership of SamdechAkkaMohaSenaPadeiTechoHUN SEN, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, always attaches greatimportancetothe promotion ofyouth roles in contributing to socio-economic development, national defense, cultural preservation, safeguarding of national heritage, as well as their rights to politics. In fact, youth’s participation in implementing “Old Policy, New Action” signifies a great example of SamdechTecho Youth Volunteersin their historic mission on land surveyingin order for title deeds to be issued to the citizens.
Excellencies, LokChumteav, LokOknha, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, and dearYouth
We all have known that Cambodia is rich in culture, and some experts acknowledge that Cambodia is an Empire of Heritage. As a matter of fact, the world has recognized the understanding universal values of our heritage and inscribed the Angkor site on the World Heritagein Danger List in 1992, which was successfully removed from the World Heritage in Danger List in 2004. The Temple of PreahVihear was inscribedon the World Heritage List on 8 July 2008. The world also appreciates the two splendid forms of Cambodia intangible heritage, namely the Royal Ballet which was inscribed in 2003, and the L’khonSbek Thom in 2005.
Moreover, in 2013 the Kingdom of Cambodia will be celebrating the 20th anniversary of the inscription of Angkor site on theWorld Heritage List, which coincides with the 37thSession of the World Heritage Committee to be hostedby the Royal Government of Cambodia, the current Chair of the World Heritage Committee, whose membership comprises of 190 States Parties. Thisimportant event reflects the success of the international cooperation between the Royal Government and UNESCO under the framework of the International Coordinating Committee for the protection and development of Angkor site(ICC-Angkor) which serves as the model of a successful international cooperation,being employed by UNESCO in other countries.
In the field of heritage, UNESCO also pays very close attention and provides important roles to youth as illustrated in a common concept “Youth and Heritage” or “Heritage is in Youth’s hands”, in order for youth to understandthe values of their own culture and heritage and those of other countries.This will bring about loves and respect of their own culture and heritage and those of other countries, which forms the basis for promoting mutual understandingthat will results in conflict reduction, as well as contributingto the culture of peace. Indeed, every year the youth forum becomes an integral part of the Session of the World Heritage Committee. This year, year 2013, the Kingdom of Cambodia, the host of the 37thSession of the World Heritage Committee, will address an important topic, under the theme of “Living Heritage: Temple, Environment and People”. This topic aims at penetrating the understanding onharmonious relations between culture, environment including water and forest, and the community. In implementing these essential tasks, I strongly believe that Cambodian and international youth, under the leadership of the Union of Youth Federation of Cambodia, will achieve new successesin promotingCambodia’s image on international stagewith respect tothe protection and preservation of national and world heritage.
Taking this opportunity, I would like to commend and highly appreciate the Union of Youth Federation of Cambodia for havingplanned to organize a program called “Angkor Sangkran”, which is another new contribution in promoting and preserving culture, custom, and heritage of Cambodia, which has lasted for a very time. This program will not only help disseminate and promote the Cambodian culture, tradition and civilization to public and youth for better understanding, but it will also contribute to the development of cultural and heritage tourism which is the main source of creating employmentfor the Cambodian people and youth, and directly helps in reducing poverty of the local people. Therefore, in order for this program to be successful, it requires contributions and close cooperation from all authorities concerned, particularly Siem Reap Provincial Authority, APSARA Authority, as well as private sectors and generous individuals.
Excellencies, LokChumteav, LokOknha, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, and dear Youth
Successful activities of Union of Youth Federation of Cambodia indeed cannot be realized without active participation and support of everyone as mentioned by Mr. Hun Many in his welcoming remarks. On behalf of the Royal Government, I would like to express my appreciation and thanks to companies, enterprises, organizations, associations, as well as Excellencies, LokChumteav, LokOknha, Ladies and Gentlemen, and all generous individuals, for their kind support. Today’s happy event is an excellent opportunity for Excellencies, LokChumteav, LokOknha, Ladies and Gentlemen, and all generous individuals, to join with the Royal Government to provide continued support to “Youth in the Cause of Motherland”, which is being called forby the President of the Union of Youth Federation of Cambodia in order for this movement to realize further successes in their noble mission and new achievements for the nation.
Finally, I hope that your Excellencies,LokChumteav, LokOknha, Ladies and Gentlemen, Distinguished Guests and all youth enjoy this evening’s Gala Dinner Reception, and wish you allgood health, great successandhappiness.
Thank you!