Japan: Japan has reaffirmed its commitment to Cambodia's cultural heritage by pledging approximately US$900,000 over the next three years to support the continued restoration of Bayon Temple, one of Angkor's most iconic monuments.
According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, during the 40th Technical Session of the International Coordinating Committee for the Safeguarding and Development of the Historic Site of Angkor and Sambor Prei Kuk (ICC-Angkor/Sambor Prei Kuk), held in Siem Reap on June 19, Mr. Nagase Kensuke, Minister/Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of Japan in Cambodia and Co-Chair of the ICC-Angkor meeting, announced that Japan's JASA (Japanese Government Team for Safeguarding Angkor) will collaborate with the APSARA National Authority and UNESCO to carry out the preservation work.
Mr. Nagase confirmed that the Japanese government will fund a new three-year restoration phase for Bayon Temple beginning in September 2025. The initiative will not only focus on structural conservation, but also support ancient drainage system repairs, and the documentation and registration of scattered stones around the temple complex.
'The assistance from Japan is not limited to restoration alone,' Mr. Nagase emphasised. 'It represents a continued commitment to preserving the value of Cambodia's cultural heritage and supporting sustainable tourism.'
In parallel, the APSARA National Authority plans to reopen Angkor's first conservation building, which has not been in use for many years, to facilitate the stone registration project and provide an educational space where visitors can learn about previous generations of conservation efforts at Angkor.
The 40th Technical Session of the ICC-Angkor/Sambor Prei Kuk is being held over two days, from June 19-20, in Siem Reap. The meeting is co-chaired by Mr. Kensuke Nagase and Mr. Pierre Vincent, Counsellor for Cooperation and Cultural Affairs at the French Embassy, and presided over by H.E. Dr. Phoeurng Sackona, Minister of Culture and Fine Arts and President of the Board of the APSARA National Authority.
The ICC-Angkor serves as the principal international body coordinating conservation and sustainable development efforts at Cambodia's most treasured archaeological sites, including Angkor and Sambor Prei Kuk.