July 7 marked the 18th anniversary of the inscription of Preah Vihear Temple on UNESCO’s World Heritage List on July 7, 2008, in Quebec City, Canada. On this occasion, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet issued a congratulatory message recalling severe damage reported at 562 locations in the temple complex during fighting in July and December 2025.
In his message, Hun Manet expressed deep sorrow over the destruction inflicted on Cambodia’s revered cultural heritage in July and December 2025, including severe damage at 562 locations in Preah Vihear Temple and the undoing of nearly 20 years of conservation efforts.
Hun Manet said that, despite Cambodia’s efforts to resolve issues peacefully through international law and existing bilateral mechanisms, armed confrontation had affected several heritage properties, including Preah Vihear Temple. He described this as an immense loss not only for Cambodia but for the heritage of humanity as a whole.
In response, the Cambodian government introduced emergency measures, including closer cooperation with UNESCO, the International Coordinating Committee for the Safeguarding and Development of the Cultural and Natural Site of Preah Vihear (ICC-Preah Vihear), and relevant national and international partners to assess damage and take conservation measures. It requested international experts to inspect and evaluate the damage. Work included clearing unexploded ordnance and cluster-munition remnants, shoring up temple structures to prevent further collapse, and collecting and conserving broken carved stones scattered around the site.
The Cambodian government continued prioritising conservation and restoration of Preah Vihear Temple’s values, with the stated aim of turning the pain into a further symbol of Cambodian solidarity and resilience.
Hun Manet said the Cambodian nation and people were profoundly grateful for the courage of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces and other armed services, who had made sacrifices to defend the border. He also praised international experts, officials and skilled workers of the National Authority for Preah Vihear for their timely efforts to safeguard the temple despite threats to their safety.
The prime minister reaffirmed the Cambodian government’s determination to protect the country’s territorial integrity, Preah Vihear World Heritage Temple and other temples along the border for future generations. He called for the spirit of Preah Vihear to remain in Cambodians’ hearts and for the pain to become motivation for personal development and the building of a strong, resilient nation.
By: ង៉ែត ពិសាន្ត
