Hanoi (VNA) – The Vietnam Federationof UNESCO Associations (VFUA) on January 15 hosted an international conference in Hanoi to discuss measuresfor conserving and upholding the values of culture heritages recognized byUNESCO.

This is the fifth event of this kind held by VFUA in theframework of the international movement themed “Global Citizenship Education” (GCED),which was launched by the World Federation of UNESCO Clubs, Centres and Associations (WFUCA) in Hanoi on the occasion of the WFUCA’sCongress and the 30th founding anniversary of WFUCA in Vietnam.

Speaking at the conference, Chairman of VFUA Nguyen Xuan Thang said Vietnamboasts eight UNESCO-recognised natural and cultural heritages, dozens ofintangible cultural heritages and biospheres, geological parks, and manyhistorical and cultural relics that were ranked under the World Heritage Convention over the last 30 years.

According to Thang, Vietnamese heritages inscribed in the World Heritage Convention bring not only opportunities to promotethe country’s economic development, but also heavy responsibility.

He stressed the need to pay special attention to, and spend resources, responsibility,and patience on protecting these heritages.

The conference offers a good chance for participants to share experience, and proposeinitiatives and solutions to involve the people in preserving and upholding thenation’s UNESCO-recognized heritages, Thang said.

Tatiana Bogjna, member of the Executive Board of the Ural-Siberian Federation of UNESCOclubs, centers and associations in Russia,shared Russia’s experiences in conserving heritage.

Main threats to heritagesites are urbanisation, legal issues, a lack of funding, natural disasters andtourism overload, she said, noting that it is necessary to have a strategy whichwill allow preservation but not lose the quality of life./.