Source: PIB
Subject: International Organisation
Context: India is hosting the 20th Session of UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage at the Red Fort, New Delhi.
About India Hosts 20th UNESCO’s Inter-Governmental Committee:
What is this Committee?
- The Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) is a 24-member UNESCO body created under the 2003 ICH Convention to promote, supervise and operationalize safeguarding of intangible heritage globally.
Host Venue: Red Fort (Lal Qila), New Delhi
Structure of the Committee:
Composition:
- 24 Member States, elected by the General Assembly of States Parties.
- Seats allocated by equitable geographical representation across six UNESCO regional groups.
- Each State must nominate experts qualified in ICH fields.
Term:
- Members serve four-year terms: Each elected State Party remains on the Committee for a fixed four-year period to ensure continuity in safeguarding work.
- Every two years, half the members are replaced: A staggered renewal system maintains institutional memory while introducing fresh perspectives regularly.
- No consecutive terms allowed: States cannot be re-elected immediately, preventing monopolisation and promoting broader global participation.
Functions of the Committee:
- Promote the objectives of the 2003 Convention: Ensures global commitment to preserving living heritage and strengthening community-based safeguarding.
- Provide guidance on best safeguarding practices: Offers States technical advice and models to improve preservation of traditions and cultural expressions.
- Prepare operational directives and ICH Fund plans: Drafts rules, procedures and financial guidelines for effective implementation of the Convention.
- Examine nominations for the Representative List: Evaluates cultural elements proposed by States to highlight global diversity and awareness.
- Evaluate elements for the Urgent Safeguarding List: Identifies traditions at risk and determines their eligibility for immediate safeguarding measures.
About Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH):
What is ICH?
- Intangible Cultural Heritage refers to living traditions, expressions, skills and knowledge transmitted across generations — including performing arts, rituals, festivals, crafts, oral expressions and social practices.
Origin:
- Concept institutionalised in the 2003 UNESCO Convention for Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage (entered into force in 2008).
- Created global ICH Lists to protect living traditions and encourage community participation.
- Lists include:
- Representative List
- Urgent Safeguarding List
- Register of Good Safeguarding Practices
- India currently has 15 elements on UNESCO’s Representative List.
