To preserve the value of the Angkor World Heritage site, the UNESCO-Japan Funds-in-Trust project ‘Safeguarding of the Bayon Temple of Angkor Thom, Phase VI’ was initiated in 2022 with the financial assistance of US$1,162,780 from the Government of Japan, according to UNESCO Cambodia’s press release issued on Dec. 20.

To officially mark the project commencement and long-lasting collaboration between the Governments of Cambodia and Japan, Waseda University, and UNESCO, a signing ceremony of the project was organised during the 29th Plenary Session of the ICC Angkor-Sambor Krei Kuk at in Siem Reap.

H.E. Dr. Phoeurng Sackona, Minister of Culture and Fine Arts, H.E. Dr. Hang Peou, the Director General of the National Authority of APSARA, H.E. Mr. Mikami Masahiro, Ambassador of Japan in Cambodia, Mr. Sardar Umar Alam, UNESCO Representative to Cambodia, and Dr. Takeshi Nakagawa, Professor Emeritus of Waseda University attended the ceremony.

The phase VI project focuses onthe stabilisation of the Central Tower and conservation of the outer and inner gallery bas-reliefs, the landscape improvement of the East Façade of Bayon Temple.

It also continues to reinforce the capacities of APSARA workers in heritage conservation and management.

H.E. Kim Sothin, the Deputy Director General of APSARA, thanked Japan for its support and Waseda University and UNESCO for their close collaboration in the work.

Mr. Sardar Umar Alam, UNESCO Representative to Cambodia, appreciated scientific knowledge accumulated and the best heritage conservation techniques applied to the work at the Bayon Temple.

Mr. Hideto Nakajima, Director of the Multilateral Cultural Cooperation Division of the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stressed that the joint international cooperation model should be promoted and applied in other parts of the world for cultural heritage conservation. 

Source: Agency Kampuchea Press