The United Nations' cultural agency selected former French culture minister Audrey Azoulay as its new chief on Friday, handing her the keys to revive UNESCO's fortunes after the United States pulled out. Azoulay edged Qatar's Hamad bin Abdulaziz al-Kawari after the fifth round of voting and the decision will now be put forward for approval to UNESCO's 195 members on Nov. 10. A sudden announcement on Thursday that the United States was quitting over perceived anti-Israel bias meant that whoever wins the top job would inherit a body in turmoil, with huge questions over its future funding and mission. "In this time of crisis we need more than ever to support, strengthen and reform UNESCO and not leave it," Azoulay told reporters, saying she would modernize the organization. "If I'm confirmed...the first thing I will do is to restore its credibility, restore the faith of its members and its efficiency so it can act." Azoulay, who will replace Irina Bokova, a Bulgarian who … [Read more...] about UN cultural agency selects France’s Azoulay as new chief
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US pulls out of UNESCO, citing ‘anti-Israel’ bias
The United States said Thursday that it was pulling out of the U.N.'s culture and education body, accusing it of "anti-Israel bias" in a move criticized by the head of the Paris-based organization. Following years of tension at UNESCO, which is in the process of electing a new director-general, U.S. State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert announced that Washington planned to withdraw. "This decision was not taken lightly, and reflects U.S. concerns with mounting arrears at UNESCO, the need for fundamental reform in the organization, and continuing anti-Israel bias at UNESCO," she said in a statement. The United States -- one of the body's founding members -- has withdrawn once before under president Ronald Reagan, who quit in 1984 over alleged financial mismanagement and anti-U.S. bias in some of its policies. President George W. Bush announced America's return in 2002, but relations soured again in 2011 when Washington pulled the plug on funding to the body after … [Read more...] about US pulls out of UNESCO, citing ‘anti-Israel’ bias
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Vietnam puts forward candidate as UNESCO seeks new leader to revive fortunes
When Israel's envoy told UNESCO delegates last July that fixing the plumbing in his toilet was more important than their latest ruling, it highlighted how fractious geopolitics are paralyzing the workings of the agency. Whoever wins the race to replace Irina Bokova as head of the U.N.'s cultural and education body next week will have to try to restore the relevance of an agency born from the ashes of World War Two but increasingly hobbled by regional rivalries and a lack of money. Its triumphs include designating world heritage sites such as the Galapagos Islands and the historic tombs of Timbuktu - rebuilt by UNESCO after Islamist militants destroyed them. But in a sign of how toxic relations have become, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told world leaders at the U.N. General Assembly last month that UNESCO was promoting "fake history." Like Israel's plain-speaking envoy Carmel Shama Hacohen, Netanyahu was referring to UNESCO's designation of Hebron and the two adjoined … [Read more...] about Vietnam puts forward candidate as UNESCO seeks new leader to revive fortunes
Thua Thien-Hue welcomes 1.07 million foreign tourists
Hue imperial city by night (Photo: VNA) Thua Thien-Hue (VNA) – The flow of foreign tourists to the central province of Thua Thien-Hue increased 31.29 percent to 1.07 million in the first nine months of 2017. The Republic of Korea ranked first in terms of number of holidaymakers visiting Thua Thien-Hue, making up 26 percent of the total number. In the reviewed period, the province served a total of 2.78 million visitors. The Hue Relics Preservation Centre alone welcomed 2.4 million visitors, up 18.55 percent from the same period last year. In September 2017, the provincial Department of Tourism and Traveloka Vietnam Company signed a Memorandum of Understanding on tourism development, which aims to connect accommodation establishments, airlines and potential customers. The locality also signed a cooperation agreement with the national flag … [Read more...] about Thua Thien-Hue welcomes 1.07 million foreign tourists
Da Nang takes advantage of APEC week to promote tourism
Ba Na Hills in Da Nang (Source: VNA) Da Nang (VNA) – The central city of Da Nang, which will host the APEC Economic Leaders Week in November, is planning to organise a wide range of programmes to promote its tourism potentials. Different tours have been designed to serve APEC delegates and international journalists. The tours connect local renowned destinations, including Ngu Hanh Son mountain, Museum of Cham Sculpture, Son Tra peninsula, Ba Na Hills and Han River. Regional tours are also offered, connecting Da Nang with neighbouring localities, such as Hoi An ancient city - a UNESCO-recognised World Heritage Site - in Quang Nam province and the former imperial capital of Hue in Thua Thien-Hue province. The municipal Department of Tourism asked local hotels which accommodate a large number of delegates to connect with travel … [Read more...] about Da Nang takes advantage of APEC week to promote tourism
Quang Ninh fosters tourism cooperation with Chinese locality
The four localities sign a MoU on tourism development. (Source: VNA) Quang Ninh (VNA) – A conference was held in Ha Long city on September 25 to boost tourism connection between Vietnam’s northern province of Quang Ninh and China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. During the event, Quang Ninh’s Ha Long and Mong Cai cities and Guangxi’s Dongxing and Guilin signed a memoranda of understanding (MoU) on tourism development. Accordingly, the localities agreed on general cooperation principles and mechanism to expand tours, and commitments to service quality, among others. Representatives from the localities briefed on their potential and advantages. Ha Long underlined its potential for sea and island tourism development, with the highlight being the UNESCO-recognised World Heritage site of Ha Long Bay while Mong Cai city … [Read more...] about Quang Ninh fosters tourism cooperation with Chinese locality
Three new caves to open to tourists at Vietnam’s Phong Nha-Ke Bang
A photo taken inside Over Cave at the Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, Quang Binh Province. The caves – Dai A, Over and Pygmy – are part of the Vom cave system in the park’s ecological restoration zone. Dai A Cave, previously known as Tiger Cave, stretches 1,616 meters in length and reaches as deep as 46 meters from its opening, which measures over 50 meters in diameter. Over Cave is located 100 meters from Dai A Cave, running 3,244 meters long and 104 meters deep, with the widest section measuring up to 125 meters in diameter. The opening to Dai A Cave. Meanwhile, Pygmy Cave is the smallest of the three, stretching only 845 meters in length … [Read more...] about Three new caves to open to tourists at Vietnam’s Phong Nha-Ke Bang
