India elected as member of  Intergovernmental Committee of UNESCO’s 2003 convention

New Delhi: India has been elected as a member of the Intergovernmental Committee of UNESCO’s 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage for the 2022-2026 cycle.

The elections for the Intergovernmental Committee took place during the 9^th General Assembly of the 2003 Convention held at UNESCO headquarters, Paris, from 5^th to 7^th July 2022. 

The announcement to this effect was made by Union Minister for Culture, Tourism and DoNER G.K  Reddy.

Against the four seats falling vacant within the Asia-Pacific group, six countries, namely, India, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, and Thailand had presented their candidature.

According to the Ministry, India received 110 votes from the 155 State Parties that were present and voting.

As a member of the intergovernmental committee, India will have the opportunity to closely monitor the implementation of the 2003 Convention.

“With the aim of strengthening the scope and impact of the Convention, India seeks to mobilize the capacity of different actors worldwide in order to effectively safeguard intangible heritage,” said the statement.

The Intergovernmental Committee of the 2003 Convention consists of 24 members and is elected in the General Assembly of the Convention according to the principles of equitable geographical representation and rotation. States Members to the Committee are elected for a term of four years.

Some of the core functions of the Intergovernmental Committee include promoting the objectives of the Convention, providing guidance on best practices, and making recommendations on measures for the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage.

The Committee also examines requests submitted by States Parties for the inscription of intangible heritage on the Lists as well as proposals for programmes and projects.

In the past, India has served two terms as a member of the Intergovernmental Committee of this Convention. One from 2006 to 2010 and the other from 2014 to 2018. For its 2022-2026 term, India has formulated a clear vision for the protection and promotion of the intangible cultural heritage of humanity.

India ratified the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in September 2005.

As one of the earliest State Parties to ratify the Convention, India has shown great commitment towards matters related to intangible heritage and has actively encouraged other State Parties to ratify it.

With 14 inscriptions on the Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, India also ranks high in the listing of intangible cultural heritage.