UNESCO ICH Committee Session at Red Fort: Key Facts
Why in the news
India hosted the 20th session of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee on Intangible Cultural Heritage at the Red Fort in New Delhi.
Key facts
- The committee has 24 Member States, chosen by the General Assembly of States Parties.
- Seats are spread over six UNESCO regional groups for fair geographic balance.
- Each member serves four years; half the body is replaced every two years.
- Created under the 2003 ICH Convention, which came into force in 2008.
- Venue: Red Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Functions of the committee
- Promote the Convention’s goals and global cooperation on living heritage.
- Give technical advice on safeguarding practices, capacity-building and community involvement.
- Prepare operational directives, including rules and financial plans such as managing the ICH Fund.
- Examine nominations for the Representative List and the Urgent Safeguarding List.
- Approve community-led success stories for the Register of Good Safeguarding Practices.
About Intangible Cultural Heritage
ICH means living traditions and knowledge passed down generations: performing arts, rituals and festivals, oral traditions, craftsmanship, social practices and traditional skills.
UNESCO’s ICH lists
| List or register | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity | Showcases cultural elements (India has 15) |
| List of ICH in Need of Urgent Safeguarding | Elements needing urgent protection |
| Register of Good Safeguarding Practices | Successful community-led initiatives |
Exam angle
- Committee size: 24; term: four years.
- Convention year: 2003; in force: 2008.
- India’s inscriptions on the Representative List: 15.