Phnom penh: Cambodians from all walks of life joined nationwide celebrations this morning to mark the official inscription of ‘Cambodian Memorial Sites: From Centres of Repression to Places of Peace and Reflection’ on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, at 7:00 a.m. sharp, all ministries, state institutions, and national and sub-national administrations held individual ceremonies that included flag salutes with the national anthem, drum and gong beating, readings of the Prime Minister’s congratulatory message, and other commemorative activities.

Moreover, Buddhist monks across the country participated in the celebration by ringing bells and beating gongs and drums at their respective pagodas. The serial site was officially inscribed during the 47th Session of the World Heritage Committee, held in Paris, France, on July 11, under Decision 47 COM 8B.14.

The inscription recognises key sites associated with the Khmer Rouge regime, including the Former M-13 Prison (at the borde
r between Kampong Chhnang and Kampong Speu provinces), the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (Phnom Penh), and the Choeung Ek Genocidal Centre (Phnom Penh).

“This historic inscription marks another moment of national pride for Cambodia, following the successful listing of national iconic and historical sites such as the ancient temple complexes of Angkor (1992), Preah Vihear (2008), Sambor Prei Kuk (2017), and Koh Ker (2023),” stated the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts.

The Cambodian Memorial Sites represent Cambodia’s first modern, non-classical archaeological heritage to receive World Heritage status, underlined the source, adding that they are also among the first Sites of Memory Associated with Recent Conflicts to be inscribed regionally and globally.