On 22 June 2006, the Permanent Mission of Japan, together with the United Nations, UNESCO and the Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of Cambodia, co-sponsored the opening reception of the photo exhibit of “The Faces of Angkor: World Heritage Monuments of Angkor” in the Northeast Gallery of the UN Visitor’s Entrance lobby. This exhibit celebrates the 60th Anniversary of the United Nations, as well as Japan’s 50th and Cambodia’s 51st Anniversaries of membership in the UN.

About 250 guests attended the event, which included remarks by Ms. Alicia Barcena, Chef de Cabinet of the Executive Office of the Secretary-General; Dr. Chem Widhya, Permanent Representative of the Mission of the Kingdom of Cambodia; Mr. Kenzo Oshima, Permanent Representative of the Mission of Japan; Ms. H?l?ne-Marie Gosselin, Director of the UNESCO Liaison Office of New York, and former UN Under-Secretary-General Mr. Yasushi Akashi. The reception began with a traditional Cambodian dance, apsara, to welcome the guests. Apsara is an ancient sacred dance form, of which many carvings can be seen at the temples of Angkor Monuments.

“The Faces of Angkor” features approximately 75 stunning black and white photos taken by Japanese photographer Mr. Baku Saito and Canadian photographer Mr. Chris Rainier. Many of the photos were taken as part of a UNESCO conservation project in conjunction with support from the Government of Japan.

The exhibit runs through 18 August 2006.