UNESCO Calls for Urgent Protection of Cultural Heritage After Border Clashes

As tensions flare again between Cambodia and Thailand, UNESCO — the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization — has voiced serious concern about the situation, especially regarding the Preah Vihear Temple, a priceless World Heritage site and centuries-old testament to Khmer civilization.

In an official statement released on December 10, the agency urged both countries to honor their international obligations to safeguard cultural heritage, including under the 1954 Hague Convention and the 1972 World Heritage Convention.

UNESCO’s message is more than diplomatic advice — it is a warning that warfare, regardless of its cause, cannot justify the destruction of shared historical treasures. The organization said it will closely watch the situation along the border to help preserve cultural heritage “in all its forms.”

To reduce the risk of irreversible damage, UNESCO has provided Cambodian and Thai authorities with precise geographic coordinates for World Heritage sites and other nationally important cultural properties.

The statement also emphasized that UNESCO is prepared to offer technical assistance and carry out necessary protection measures once conditions on the ground permit.

The concerns come amid renewed fighting that began on December 7, during which the Preah Vihear Temple — already damaged in clashes last July — has reportedly suffered further significant harm.

Perched atop the Dangrek mountain range in Preah Vihear province’s Choam Ksan district, the temple has stood since the 11th century and was added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List on July 7, 2008. It represents one of the highest achievements of Khmer architectural art and is dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva.

Beyond Cambodia’s borders, the international community views Preah Vihear as a powerful symbol of the vulnerability of world heritage in times of conflict. UNESCO’s rapid appeal underscores a fundamental point: ancient monuments carry the collective memory of peoples, and protecting them — especially during war — is a shared global responsibility.