The Director-General recalled that UNESCO's association with the safeguarding of Borobodur began in 1968 when the first expert mission was dispatched at the request of the Indonesian Government. As a result, in 1972 UNESCO launched the International Safeguarding Campaign of Borobudur, and with the financial assistance of some 27 countries and the close cooperation of the Indonesian Government, a comprehensive restoration project helped bring Borobudur back to its former splendour. Subsequently, in 1991 Borobudur was officially recognized by its inscription on the World heritage List.

The Director-General said, "In the current era of accelerating globalization, the international community recognizes the importance of promoting cultural diversity in all its forms in order to promote respect for the fundamental values making up our cultural identity and to ensure sustainable development for all peoples in the world. At the beginning of the twenty-first century, the wonderful story of Borobudur described in this publication raises many crucial questions regarding the international community's actions in favour of humanity's cultural heritage." Finally, in his closing remarks the Director-General assured that "UNESCO will remain firmly committed to working with Member States to address such challenges in the future...More precisely, we must extend the scope of our approach to include the safeguarding for not only tangible but also intangible heritage. Their combined contribution to the protection and promotion of cultural diversity is vital for guaranteeing sustainable development worldwide."

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