UNESCO has voiced its support to Cambodia for facilitating the relocation of people from the Angkor Archeological Park in Siem Reap province, and considered it a model mechanism for the conservation and development of World Heritage sites.
The support was shared here at the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts on Aug. 1 by H.E. Hang Pov, Director General of the APSARA National Authority, at a press conference on the outcomes of the 46th Session of the World Heritage Committee in New Delhi, the Republic of India from July 21 to 31, 2024.
The 21 Committee members to the World Heritage Convention agreed that it is right for the resettlement of people from Angkor area, stressing that Cambodia has acted in accordance with the request of UNESCO and international norms, he said.
H.E. Hang Pov recalled that Angkor was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1992. Then came the illegal settlement, and in 2005 and then in 2007 UNESCO asked Cambodia to address this construction-related issues at the Angkor area. Cambodia complied with the request in accordance with all the requirements.
In order to maintain the universal value of the Angkor Archeological Park so that it continues to be on the World Heritage List, he added, the Royal Government has arranged a decent resettlement plan for the Angkor squatters to the Run Taek development area and Peak Sneng area in 2022 by providing them with land lots, necessary infrastructure and facilities, such as roads, schools, hospitals, markets, pagodas and drainage systems as well as electricity, clean water and telephone services. Besides, they have been granted the Level 1 IDPoor cards.
