PHNOM PENH (Xinhua): Cambodia's Koh Ker archaeological site on Sunday was inscribed on the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage List, bringing the country's tangible cultural properties on the list to four, said a government's statement.
The inscription was made during the 45th session of the World Heritage Committee in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the statement said.
"This is a new pride for Cambodia and our people," Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said in the statement.
"It is a new prestige of our nation on the international arena that resulted from steady efforts made by the royal government of Cambodia... in safeguarding, preserving and developing our cultural properties."
Located in the Kulen district in northwestern Preah Vihear province, the Koh Ker archaeological site was nominated for the status of UNESCO's World Heritage Site in January 2021.
UNESCO confirmed the inscription of the Koh Ker archaeological site on the World Heritage List in its news release posted on its website on Sunday.
"This marked a momentous achievement in the commitment of the royal government of Cambodia to the preservation of cultural heritage, and a key milestone in the recognition of Cambodia's rich heritage worldwide," the news release said.
It added that UNESCO acknowledged the exceptional historical and architectural significance of the Koh Ker archaeological site and its outstanding universal value, serving as a tribute to the enduring legacy of the Cambodian civilization and efforts made by Cambodia to safeguard its treasures for future generations.
According to the news release, Koh Ker was the capital of the Khmer Empire for a brief period between 928-941 C.E. under its founder King Jayavarman IV.
Koh Ker boasts several archaeological remains, including unique-in-style temples, impressive Shiva-lingas sanctuaries, as well as civil structures, ponds, dykes, reservoirs, and ancient roads that reflect the influence and grandeur of the Khmer Empire, it added.
"This archaeological marvel offers a profound insight into its era's well-organized projects of regional, social, economic, and architectural development, town planning, and rural infrastructure," the news release said.
To date, four tangible cultural properties in the Southeast Asian nation have been placed on the world heritage list. The first three listed properties are Angkor Archeological Park inscribed in 1992, the Temple of Preah Vihear in 2008, and the Temple Zone of Sambor Prei Kuk in 2017. - Xinhua
