In a landmark decision on July 11, 2025, the World Heritage Committee, during its 47th session in Paris, France, unanimously inscribed “Cambodian Memorial Sites: From Centres of Repression to Places of Peace and Reflection” on the UNESCO World Heritage List. This historic inclusion marks a new chapter for Cambodia, recognizing its profound journey from the “killing fields” to a nation of peace and reconciliation.
About the Cambodian Memorial Sites
The newly inscribed sites include the former M-13 prison, located between Kampong Chhnang and Kampong Speu provinces, the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, and the Choeung Ek Genocidal Center, both situated in Phnom Penh. These sites serve as a powerful testament to Cambodia’s long struggle and successful transformation from a genocidal regime to a country striving for peace and development, embodied by the slogan “Thanks for Peace”.
Collective Effort toward the inscription of the Cambodian Memorial Sites
The inscription of these Cambodian Memorial Sites is a long-term vision initiated by Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, former Prime Minister and current President of the Senate and Chairman of the Supreme Privy Council to His Majesty the King of Cambodia. In 2019, he advised the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts and other relevant institutions to explore the possibility of including the Tuol Sleng Museum in the UNESCO World Heritage List, ensuring its preservation as a historical legacy for future generations.
Following this guidance, the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts collaborated with national and international experts, including ICOMOS, and UNESCO to conduct studies, research, and compile technical documents in accordance with the 1972 Convention’s operational guidelines. Their efforts led to the recognition of the outstanding universal value of these three sites.
PM Hun Manet’s Message on the inscription of the Cambodian Memorial Sites
In a letter (សារលិខិត) dated July 11, 2025, Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, expressed profound gratitude and pride for this significant achievement. He highlighted that the inscription is a remarkable gift from Cambodia to humanity, offering a global model of remembrance, national reconciliation, justice for victims, education, and the building and protection of peace.
Prime Minister Hun Manet emphasized that this monumental achievement is another new and high prestige for Cambodia on the international stage, stemming from the continued legacy of Khmer heroes, the spirit of national unity (“Khmer one”), and the umbrella of peace which forms the foundation for national construction and development in all sectors, including the preservation and development of cultural heritage and the protection of the nation’s historical truth.
He also called upon all relevant institutions, local authorities, and various agencies to strictly reinforce the management, conservation, and development of these memorial sites in accordance with the principles of the World Heritage Committee, preventing any activities that could affect their value. The Prime Minister also extended his special thanks to friendly countries and UNESCO, as well as all dignitaries who recognized the immense universal value of the Cambodian Memorial Sites and supported Cambodia’s proposal.
Nationwide Commemoration of the Cambodian Memorial Sites
To commemorate this historical event, Prime Minister Hun Manet instructed all government ministries and institutions, at both national and sub-national levels, to participate in a symbolic act of remembrance on July 13, 2025, at 7:00 AM. This includes ringing gongs, beating drums, clapping, and striking wooden instruments in significant public places, pagodas, and community gathering points to unequivocally oppose the devastation of war and genocide, and to reinforce the imperative of preserving lasting peace as a legacy for future generations.
Furthermore, the Prime Minister urged all Cambodians, regardless of age, social class, color, occupation, or social status, to collectively place flowers to honor the victims of the Khmer Rouge regime at the Cambodian Memorial Sites every July 11th, annually. He also appealed to all radio and television stations and news outlets to widely disseminate information about this significant national pride event.
This inscription marks a significant milestone, representing Cambodia’s first modern, non-classical archaeological heritage to receive World Heritage status, and positioning these sites among the first Sites of Memory Associated with Recent Conflicts to be recognized regionally and globally. It is a testament to the resilience and deep commitment of the Cambodian people and the enduring leadership in safeguarding Cambodia’s historical legacy.
Read more: 10 Cambodian Treasures Recognized by UNESCO as World Heritage os of 2024
Sources: Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts | Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet, Prime Minister of Cambodia | UNESCO
Photos: Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts | Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet, Prime Minister of Cambodia | UNESCO
