BANGKOK, Thailand – Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul held bilateral talks with Khaled Ahmed El-Enany Ali Ezz, Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization, in France on May 22, 2026, to advance cooperation on world heritage, education, artificial intelligence, and cultural preservation. During the meeting, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening collaboration in sustainable tourism by promoting a balance between economic growth and the preservation of cultural heritage and natural resources. The prime minister expressed hope that Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan would be considered for inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List this year.
The two sides also discussed educational cooperation and artificial intelligence, including Thailand’s interest in exploring co-hosting the Global Education Meeting in 2027 to reinforce the country’s role as a regional hub for educational cooperation. Thailand also reiterated its proposal to nominate the traditional Thai attire (Chud Thai) for inclusion on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, highlighting its cultural identity, craftsmanship, and traditional knowledge. The prime minister reaffirmed Thailand’s readiness to work closely with UNESCO to promote education, science, culture, and sustainable development, while enhancing the country’s role internationally and contributing to global cooperation. (NNT)
