Decision of the Intergovernmental Committee: 19.COM 6.a.3

The Committee,

  1. Having examined document LHE/24/19.COM/6.a,
  2. Recalling Chapter V of the Operational Directives and its Decision 13.COM 10.a.6,
  3. Expresses its appreciation to Pakistan for submitting its first report on the status of the element ‘Suri Jagek (observing the sun), traditional meteorological and astronomical practice based on the observation of the sun, moon and stars in reference to the local topography’, inscribed in 2018 on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding, which was initially due for submission by 15 December 2022;
  4. Takes note of the efforts undertaken by the State Party to safeguard the element, in particular by raising awareness about the element and strengthening its transmission through informal settings within Kalasha communities and in formal education, engaging youth in learning the element and continuing its practice among men and women, documenting the element, and ensuring a participatory safeguarding process;
  5. Encourages the State Party to pursue its efforts to study and transmit the element to younger generations, to strengthen its transmission in education, to develop Kalasha language education in government-run schools, to preserve spaces associated with the element, and to support the renewal of natural resources within the Kalasha valleys;
  6. Invites the State Party to continue adopting a participatory and inclusive approach to safeguarding, involving all members of the community, and enhancing the participation of men and women in the safeguarding and management of the element;
  7. Further encourages the State Party to continue its fundraising efforts, develop synergies among various funding sources, and consider utilising the International Assistance mechanism of the Intangible Cultural Heritage Fund as a possible funding source for the development and implementation of the safeguarding measures;
  8. Further takes note that the Secretariat informed the State Party at least nine months prior to the deadline of 15 December 2022 about the required submission of its first report on the status of this element, and further encourages the State party to submit its next report on time.

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