The Kingdom has submitted two applications to UNESCO for the registration of “Khmer Bokator Martial Arts” and the “Koh Ker Archaeological Site” on the UN body’s World Heritage List.
The applications were submitted during King Norodom Sihamoni’s visit to Paris where he met with UNESCO director-general Audrey Azoulay on November 13 after giving the opening speech at the 41st UNESCO General Assembly the previous day.
According to the National Television of Cambodia’s (TVK) broadcast on November 14, the King informed UNESCO that Cambodia had two applications to submit – “Khmer Bokator Martial Arts” in the Intangible Cultural Heritage category and the “Koh Ker Archaeological Site” in the World Heritage category.
Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts spokesman Long Ponna Sirivath confirmed to The Post on November 14 that Cambodia had submitted the two applications after spending a number of years preparing the supporting materials for them.
“After our submission, UNESCO will have its convention committee review and assess our application and decide whether they will be placed on the World Heritage List,” he said.
During the meeting, Azoulay expressed her deep joy and gratitude to the King for delivering meaningful remarks at the opening ceremony of the 41st General Assembly of UNESCO on the occasion of its 75th anniversary.
The King congratulated Azoulay on her re-election as UNESCO director-general. He also thanked the UN body for its cooperation with Cambodia in the field of cultural preservation, including the successes achieved by the International Coordinating Committee for Angkor (ICC Angkor), which will celebrate its 30th anniversary in 2023.
The King also extended an invitation to Azoulay to visit Cambodia at an appropriate time in the near future.
