Ho Chi Minh City and Son La are members of the "Global Learning Cities Network"

On February 14, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) held a ceremony to announce the list of 64 cities from 35 countries recognized as members of the "Global Network of Learning Cities," including two Vietnamese cities: Ho Chi Minh City and Son La City, Son La Province.

Ambassador Nguyen Thi Van Anh, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to UNESCO, shared the good news at the beginning of the year of the Dragon, saying that this is not only a source of pride for Vietnam but also international recognition of the outstanding efforts of cities in promoting lifelong learning for all local people.

The event also demonstrated specific steps in implementing the Party and State's guidelines and policies on international integration, promoting learning and talent, building a learning society, and improving the quality of education and human resources.

For his part, Mr. Dao Quyen Truong, Deputy Director of the Department of Cultural Diplomacy and UNESCO - Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Secretary of the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO, assessed that this is the result of implementing the cultural diplomacy strategy until 2030, thereby contributing to the successful implementation of the Resolution of the 13th National Party Congress, Resolution 22 of the Politburo on international integration and Directive 25 of the Secretariat on promoting and enhancing multilateral diplomacy until 2030.

This is also the result of the determination, efforts and close coordination over the past time of the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City and the People's Committee of Son La province with the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO, the Department of Cultural Diplomacy and UNESCO - Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Permanent Delegation of Vietnam to UNESCO, Vietnamese and international experts and scientists as well as the important contributions of local people.

Thus, up to now, Vietnam has a total of 5 cities recognized as members of the "Global Network of Learning Cities."

Previously, in 2020, Sa Dec City, Dong Thap Province and Vinh City, Nghe An Province, were honored to be recognized as members of this network and in 2022, Vietnam added Cao Lanh City, Dong Thap Province to be recognized as a member of the network.

The application review process was conducted by UNESCO very closely, by leading independent experts in education based on 42 criteria related to building a lifelong learning city.

To be recognized as a member of the “Global Learning Cities Network,” cities must commit to facilitating lifelong learning for all their citizens.

In return, joining the “Global Learning Cities Network” will enable cities and local people to better exchange ideas, knowledge and experiences through a dynamic network of 356 cities worldwide.

Cities also receive technical support throughout the process of building learning cities, and are nominated for the UNESCO Learning City Award...

These bring enormous opportunities for cities to enhance international cooperation, promote their partnerships and networks to promote lifelong learning for their people, enhance international prestige, increase the ability to attract investment..., thereby making practical contributions to the sustainable development of cities in particular and the country in general.

First launched in 2013 at the First International Conference on Learning Cities held in Beijing, China, the UNESCO Global Learning Cities Network is a gathering place for international cooperation, uniting cities in support of lifelong learning initiatives.

To date, the network has become a driving force for sustainable development around the world through lifelong learning at the local level.

With the addition of these new members, the network now has 356 cities in 79 countries with more than 390 million people benefiting from lifelong learning opportunities.

Together, these cities share inspiration, exchange expertise and best practices, charting a path towards a brighter, more inclusive and inclusive future for all.