The Head of Halong Bay Management Board has confirmed that Halong Bay has never been placed on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
Preserving and developing Ha Long’s sustainable areas plays an important role in maintaining its natural and cultural values. Photo: Pham Ha.
During a press conference on December 24, Mr. Vu Kien Cuong, Head of Halong Bay Management Board, stated: “There is no truth to the claim that UNESCO is considering removing Halong Bay from the list of World Natural Heritage Sites.”
For the past three decades, Quang Ninh Province has made continuous efforts, employing effective measures to preserve, maintain, and promote the values of the World Heritage Site. These efforts comply fully with the 1972 Convention on the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage. These achievements have been recognized by central government ministries, UNESCO agencies, international experts, organizations, and friends from around the world.
Speaking with Tri Thuc – Znews, Mr. Cuong explained that the upcoming monitoring mission by the World Heritage Center and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is being conducted at Vietnam’s invitation, following recommendations from UNESCO. The mission is scheduled for March 2025 and will evaluate the conservation status of Halong Bay – Cat Ba Archipelago World Heritage Site as part of its periodic monitoring.
Previously, Vietnam submitted a report on the impact of eight projects in the buffer zone of Halong Bay, and UNESCO requested clarification on which projects are operational and which are under development. The management board and relevant parties are preparing the necessary report. “The upcoming monitoring team will also assess this issue,” Mr. Cuong added.
Mr. Also emphasized that reactive monitoring missions are standard practice by the World Heritage Center in all countries. These missions involve evaluations by stakeholders, including management agencies, tourists, experts, and scientists, to assess the conservation status of World Heritage Sites and determine if they belong on the World Heritage in Danger list. He firmly stated that Halong Bay has never been included in this danger list.
The Halong Bay Management Board is working closely with the Secretariat of the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO to update information and advise the Quang Ninh Provincial People’s Committee. They are also coordinated with Hai Phong City to ensure a respectful and effective reception for the monitoring mission, aiming for the best possible guidance on the sustainable management, protection, and promotion of Halong Bay – Cat Ba Archipelago World Heritage Site.
Earlier, Reuters reported that “UNESCO will deploy a team of experts to evaluate potential risks to Halong Bay’s preservation in Vietnam due to concerns about development projects that could threaten the conservation of the World Natural Heritage Site.” Social media also buzzed with claims that “UNESCO is considering removing Halong Bay from the World Heritage List.” This misleading information quickly garnered public attention and concern.
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Source: Vietnam Insider