New Delhi, Dec 8 – The Union Ministry of Culture (MoC) will stage the six‑day, 20th session of UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Committee on Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage at the historic Red Fort, beginning on Monday. This event underscores India’s effort to shine a spotlight on its living heritage, drawing attention to lesser‑known traditions, local crafts, and regional festivals and inviting worldwide interest, study, tourism and support.
So far, 15 Indian traditions have earned slots on UNESCO’s Representative List, and India has already served three terms on the Intergovernmental Committee, a ministry spokesperson noted.
The 20th session, running from December 8 to 13, aims to elevate India’s intangible legacy on the global stage, securing greater visibility for its cultural practices and encouraging international research, investment, and collaboration.
UNESCO adopted the 2003 Convention for Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage on October 17, 2003, amid concerns that globalization, social change and scarce resources threaten living traditions, performance arts, rituals, knowledge systems and craftsmanship. The Convention set up formal mechanisms for global cooperation, support and recognition, forming the basis for UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage lists and the work of the Intergovernmental Committee.
The Committee carries forward the Convention’s goals, monitoring implementation across member states, offering best‑practice guidance, proposing safeguarding measures, and preparing draft plans for the Intangible Cultural Heritage Fund. It also mobilizes additional resources as permitted by the Convention and drafts operational directives for the Convention’s implementation.
The 20th session, co‑organized by the Ministry and the Sangeet Natak Akademi, will use the world‑wide attention to spur domestic initiatives such as documentation, inventorying, dossier preparation, and community engagement—especially among young people and future generations.
Moreover, the ministry views the event as an opportunity for cultural diplomacy, showcasing India’s soft power, cultural richness, diversity, and leadership in heritage on a global platform. The meeting also promises to strengthen links between heritage preservation and sustainable development, positioning intangible heritage as a driver of livelihoods, community identity, social cohesion, and cultural tourism.
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