Cambodia Marks First Anniversary of UNESCO World Heritage Inscription of Holocaust Memorial Sites

Prime Minister Hun Manet of Cambodia has issued a congratulatory message on the first anniversary of the inscription of Cambodia's Holocaust memorial sites into the UNESCO World Heritage list. These sites, known as "The Memorial Sites of Cambodia: From Sites of Atrocity to Sites of Peace," were officially inscribed on July 11, 2025, during the 47th session of the World Heritage Committee in Paris, France, under decision number 47 COM 8B.14. In his message, Prime Minister Manet highlighted that this inscription is a visionary initiative by former Prime Minister Hun Sen, intended to leave an invaluable legacy of remembrance, historical learning, and peace for future generations. He emphasized that it serves as a remarkable gift from Cambodia to humanity, showcasing a model of national reconciliation, justice for victims, education, and the building and protection of peace. The sites include the former detention center M-13, the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S-21), and the Choeung Ek Genocidal Center. The Prime Minister expressed sincere admiration and profound gratitude to the leaders and officials of the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts, the Inter-Ministerial Committee, local authorities, and all relevant experts who diligently worked, overcoming all difficulties with expertise and professionalism, to achieve this significant accomplishment. He also extended special thanks to UNESCO Phnom Penh, the World Heritage Centre, international expert institutions like ICOMOS and ICCROM, KOICA, GIZ-CPS, national and international experts, and survivors of the genocidal regime for their support in the inscription process and recognition of the universal value of these memorial sites as witnesses to historical truth for the benefit of all humanity, particularly in remembering and protecting peace. Furthermore, Prime Minister Manet instructed the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts, local authorities, and relevant institutions to continue paying close attention to the preservation of these sites, avoiding any construction that could affect the historical landscape. He stressed the importance of ensuring the long-term preservation of these sites as a modern World Heritage property in Cambodia's history and diligently fulfilling their management and conservation mission in accordance with the operational guidelines of the World Heritage Centre. The Prime Minister also appealed to all media networks to cooperate in disseminating information about these historical sites widely during the first anniversary commemoration on July 11, 2026. This aims to further promote Cambodia's firm stance against the devastation of war, genocidal crimes, and to recall the necessity of collectively protecting peace as a legacy for future generations, under the slogan "Thank You, Peace."