Intergovernmental Committee for Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage

Intergovernmental Committee for Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage Latest News

India will host the 20th session of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage from 8 to 13 December 2025 in New Delhi.

About Intergovernmental Committee for Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage

• Intangible cultural heritage (ICH), as UNESCO defines it, includes the practices, knowledge, expressions, objects, and spaces that communities see as part of their cultural identity.
• For the Safeguarding of ICH, UNESCO adopted the 2003 Convention on 17th October 2003 during its 32nd General Conference in Paris. 
• The Convention formally established mechanisms for international cooperation, support, and recognition, laying the foundation for UNESCO’s ICH lists and the subsequent work of the Intergovernmental Committee.
• The purposes of this Convention are
  • To safeguard the ICH;
  • To ensure respect for the ICH of the communities, groups, and individuals concerned;
  • To raise awareness at the local, national, and international levels of the importance of the ICH, and ensure mutual appreciation thereof;
  • To provide for global cooperation and assistance.
• The Intergovernmental Committee for Safeguarding of the ICH advances the objectives of the 2003 Convention and ensures their effective implementation across Member States. 
• In fulfilling this mandate, the committee:
  • Promotes and monitors the objectives and implementation of the 2003 Convention.
  • Provides guidance on best practices and recommends measures for safeguarding ICH.
  • Prepares and submits to the General Assembly the draft plan for the use of the Intangible Cultural Heritage Fund.
  • Mobilises additional resources for the Fund in accordance with the Convention’s provisions.
  • Drafts and proposes operational directives for the implementation of the Convention.
  • Examines periodic reports submitted by States Parties and compiles summaries for the General Assembly.
  • Evaluates requests from States Parties and makes decisions regarding:
  • Inscription of elements on UNESCO’s ICH Lists (as per Articles 16, 17, and 18).
  • Granting of international assistance.
• Membership: 
  • It has 24 members who are elected for a term of four years.
  • The election of new members takes place every two years during the ordinary session of the General Assembly of States Parties.
  • India is currently a member of the committee (2022-2026).

Source: PIB

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