The International Coordinating Committee for the Safeguarding and Development of the Historic Sites of Angkor (ICC-Angkor) and Sambo Prei Kuk held their 29th plenary session in Siem Reap on December 16. Two Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) were signed to contribute to the protection of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

The meeting was presided over by Phoeurng Sackona, Minister of Culture and Fine Arts, who also serves as the chairperson of the Apsara National Authority board (ANA), and was attended by ICC-Angkor co-chairs Mikami Masahi, ambassador of Japan and Jacques Pellet, ambassador of France, alongside many other relevant officials.

The session reviewed the action reports of the ANA and Sambor Prei Kuk National Authority (SPKNA), including their restoration of temples, archaeological research, human resources development and urgent repairs to temples and other ancient sites.

Two MoUs were signed. One between the ANA and the France-based company SIAVB, and one between ANA and the Japan-based JASA.

During the event, Men Sam An, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Ministry of National Assembly-Senate Relations bestowed honorary medals to national and international experts for their contributions to the sustainable conservation and development of Angkor Park over the last 30 years.

On December 15, ICC-Angkor also held its 36th Technical Session, co-chaired by Taninai Ichitomo, deputy chief of mission of Japanese embassy, Pierri Vincent, counselor for cooperation and cultural affairs of the French embassy and Sardar Umar Alam, UNESCO representative in Cambodia.

They discussed the implementation of the recommendations adopted at the 35th Technical Session and the 28th Plenary Session in March, while also reviewing the activity reports of the restoration teams.