Siem reap: The 42nd Technical Session of the International Coordinating Committee for the Safeguarding and Development of the Historic Site of Angkor and Sambor Prei Kuk (ICC-Angkor/Sambor Prei Kuk) concluded in Siem Reap province, emphasizing the continued international support for Cambodia's cultural heritage conservation. The session highlighted France's significant contributions towards temple restoration and sustainable site management.
According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, participants expressed strong satisfaction with the progress of the West Mebon Temple conservation and restoration project. This initiative, carried out through the cooperation between the Government of the French Republic and the APSARA National Authority, has been underway for 14 years. With French financial support totaling 12 million euros, the project is slated for completion in November 2026, aligning with an official inauguration ceremony during the 20th Francophonie Summit.
The session also acknowledged France's ongoing contribution to developing a comprehensive master plan for water management within the Angkor site under the SDGERA project. This initiative, a collaboration between the APSARA National Authority and French institutions such as SIAVB, SIAAP, AGERA, and Versailles Grand Parc, focuses on sustainable water resource management and the protection of Angkor's ancient hydrological systems. Approximately 1 million euros have been mobilized for this project to date.
Further discussions reaffirmed support for initiatives aimed at enhancing human resource development, transferring technical expertise, advancing archaeological research, and improving tourism-related infrastructure in line with the Declaration of the 4th Intergovernmental Conference on Angkor/Sambor Prei Kuk, dated November 15, 2023. Moreover, progress in developing legal and planning frameworks for land use, urban planning, and construction management across Zones 1 and 2 of the Angkor World Heritage Site was acknowledged.
The session, held on June 9-10 at Sokha Angkor Hotel, was co-chaired by Mr. Pierre Vincent, Counsellor for Cooperation and Cultural Affairs at the Embassy of France, and Mr. Nagase Kensuke, Charg© d'Affaires a.i. at the Embassy of Japan. The event attracted around 300 participants, including representatives from the Royal Government of Cambodia, diplomatic missions, and both national and international institutions.