AKP Phnom Penh, January 21, 2026 —

UNESCO’s newly appointed representative to Cambodia, Mr. Flavio Bonetti, pledged on Wednesday to strengthen cooperation with the Royal Government of Cambodia to advance sustainable development goals across education and cultural heritage.

Mr. Flavio Bonetti reaffirmed the commitment during a meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, where he presented his credentials to Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister H.E. Prak Sokhonn.

The Cambodian top diplomat welcomed the new envoy and expressed the Royal Government’s appreciation for UNESCO’s long-standing role in the Kingdom. He specifically highlighted the organisation’s contributions to the preservation of Cambodia's world-renowned heritage sites and its support for national educational priorities.

"The Royal Government of Cambodia values UNESCO’s essential contribution to our development priorities, particularly in the fields of education, culture, and heritage conservation," H.E. Prak Sokhonn said in a statement released following the meeting.

In response, Mr. Bonetti praised the Royal Government of Cambodia’s ongoing conservation efforts and committed to maintaining a close partnership with various state institutions to ensure "fruitful and sustainable" development outcomes.

UNESCO has historically played a critical role in Cambodia, most notably in the management and protection of the Angkor Archaeological Park and other UNESCO World Heritage sites, which are central to the country's cultural identity and tourism economy.

By K. Rithy Reak