The Committee,

1. Having examined document ITH/17/12.COM/8.a,
2. Recalling Article 24.3 of the Convention,
3. Expresses its satisfaction that countries from Electoral Group V(a) continue to be the main beneficiaries of International Assistance from the Intangible Cultural Heritage Fund and encourages countries from other Electoral Groups to consider this mechanism of assistance in their efforts to safeguard the intangible cultural heritage present in their territory;
4. Thanks the beneficiary States for their timely submission of final or progress reports for projects that benefit from International Assistance under the Intangible Cultural Heritage Fund;
5. Appreciates the impact that the assistance has brought to the beneficiary States for safeguarding the intangible cultural heritage present in their territories and further encourages them to continue to ensure the sustainability and enhancement of the results of the projects;
6. Notes with satisfaction the promising results of the emergency International Assistance provided through the Intangible Cultural Heritage Fund and also encourages Mali and Vanuatu to continue its efforts towards social cohesion and reconstruction despite the contextual difficulties;
7. Requests that the Secretariat ensure, whenever possible, that contracts established with beneficiary States provide for the submission of final or progress reports, as appropriate, by 30 June so that it may take note of the use made of the assistance provided in a timely manner and invites current and future beneficiary States to respect the deadlines for submission of reports as established under their respective contracts;
8. Acknowledges the need to enhance the human capacities of the Secretariat on a lasting basis in order to provide more sustained and substantive support to beneficiary States in the implementation of projects financed by International Assistance and better monitor the overall implementation of this mechanism.