THE government declared its first candidacy earlier this week for the World Heritage Committee following UNESCO's announcement that elections will take place from October 23-28 in Paris.

Sok An, deputy prime minister and president of the National Commission for UNESCO in Phnom Penh, said: "Within the committee, Cambodia would support the global strategy for a balanced, representative and credible World Heritage List."

Terms of office are usually six years, but Cambodia would voluntarily serve only four years if elected in order to let other state parties be part of the committee, he said at the National Museum on Monday. Meeting once a year, the committee determines World Heritage sites.

"We warmly welcome the Kingdom of Cambodia to a candidacy on the World Heritage Committee for heritage preservation, environmental protection and accommodation of local communities," said Teruo Jinnai, head of the UNESCO office in Phnom Penh.