AKP Phnom Penh, December 03, 2018 -The ICC-Angkor is an international coordinating mechanism for the assistance provided by different countries and organisations for the safeguarding and development of the historic site of Angkor, according to the ICC-Angkor’s Secretariat.
In order to fulfil its role, the ICC-Angkor is kept informed about scientific projects or development operations undertaken on the site and in the Siem Reap-Angkor region. It sees to the consistency of the various projects and defines the technical and financial standards required when necessary. It highlights, when needed, any points requiring the attention of concerned parties.
The ICC-Angkor implements procedures to undertake assessments and follow-up of scientific, conservation and development projects for the Angkor site.
The ICC-Angkor is coordinating the preparation of a methodological document on the ethics and practice of conservation at Angkor (conservation, showcasing and development): the Charter for Angkor.
Operations
The ICC-Angkor holds two sessions a year, one at the plenary level and one at the technical level.
The Plenary Session of the ICC-Angkor examines general policy matters, determines central priorities and approves new project proposals. It normally holds one meeting per year at the level of Ambassadors. The Technical Session of the ICC-Angkor also meets once a year and is responsible for the follow-up of the different projects, activities and research carried out by operators intervening at the site of Angkor.
In addition, two ad hoc group of experts (for conservation and sustainable development) are operational. The mandates of these groups are to examine any technical question and to give guidance using recommendations on the implementation of projects. Composed of four experts in conservation and three in sustainable development, the groups of experts are independent of each other. Finally, so-called Quadripartite Meetings are organised periodically between France, Japan, the Royal Government of Cambodia and UNESCO in order to examine technical matters concerned with the functioning of the ICC-Angkor.
This year, ICC-Angkor celebrates its 25 years in the presence of Ms. Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO and several high ranking personalities from the governments of France and Japan.
On the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the ICC-Angkor, Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, Prime Minister of Cambodia will honor the event with his presence by delivering the opening speech on Dec. 4 and His Majesty Preah Bat Samdech Preah Boromneath Norodom Sihamoni, King of Cambodia will deign to preside over the closing ceremony on Dec. 5, 2018.
The ICC-Angkor is co-chaired by France and Japan. UNESCO ensures the Standing Secretariat.
This was created after Angkor was inscribed in the World Heritage List on Dec. 14, 1992. ICC-Angkor was one of the conditions given by the World Heritage Committee to accept the Angkor Site on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Since that time, the ICC-Angkor has convened regularly twice a year, thus consistently following up on all operations being carried out on the site. It is the international mechanism for coordination of assistance to be extended by different countries and organisations, and ensures the consistency of the different projects, defines, when necessary, conservation standards and calls the attention of the concerned parties when required.
By Khan Sophirom
