News: India to 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 the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (IGC)
- The Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (IGC) was established under the framework of the 2003 UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
- Elections for the Committee are held during the General Assembly of the States Parties to the Convention, ensuring equitable geographical representation and rotation of members.
- The Committee consists of 24 elected representatives from the States Parties to the Convention.
- Currently, India is one of the 24 Member States, serving on the Committee.
- Term of office: States Members to the Committee are elected for a term of four years, and every two years, the General Assembly shall renew half of them.
- A State Member of the Committee may not be elected for two consecutive terms.
- Bureau Members
- Chairperson: Ambassador, Permanent Delegate of the Republic of India to UNESCO
- Vice-Chairpersons: France, Slovakia, Barbados, Ethiopia, and Mauritania
- Rapporteur: Ms. Aysha Kamali, United Arab Emirates
- Functions:
- Promotes and Monitors the Objectives of the 2003 Convention: The committee actively works to promote the principles and objectives of the 2003 Convention for safeguarding intangible cultural heritage.
- It monitors the effective implementation of the Convention’s principles across different Member States.
- Provides Guidance and Recommendations: The committee guides States Parties on best practices for the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage.
- Oversees the Intangible Cultural Heritage Fund: It prepares and submits the draft plan for the use of the Intangible Cultural Heritage Fund to the General Assembly.
- Drafts Operational Directives: The committee drafts and proposes operational directives for the implementation of the 2003 Convention, ensuring practical application across Member States.
- Examines Reports from States Parties: The committee examines the periodic reports submitted by States Parties, reviewing their progress in safeguarding intangible cultural heritage.
- Evaluates Requests from States Parties: The committee evaluates various requests from States Parties related to the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage, including: Inscription of cultural elements on the UNESCO ICH Lists (as per Articles 16, 17, and 18) and granting of international assistance to help preserve intangible cultural heritage.
- Promotes and Monitors the Objectives of the 2003 Convention: The committee actively works to promote the principles and objectives of the 2003 Convention for safeguarding intangible cultural heritage.
