The Committee,

1. Having examined document LHE/24/19.COM/11 and its annex,
2. Recalling the Chapter VI of the Operational Directives, Decision 18.COM 12, the Operational Principles and Modalities for Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage in Emergencies, as well as the Ethical Principles for Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage,
3. Further recalling the Final Declaration of the UNESCO World Conference on Cultural Policies and Sustainable Development (MONDIACULT 2022), the G20 Leaders Declaration, the G7 Ministerial Declaration on Culture and the Pact for the Future, which calls to, inter alia, ensure that culture can contribute to more effective, inclusive, equitable and sustainable development, as well as to integrate culture into their economic, social and environmental policies;
4. Welcomes the progress made in the implementation of the thematic initiatives on the (i) economic dimensions of safeguarding intangible cultural heritage, (ii) safeguarding intangible cultural heritage and climate change, and (iii) safeguarding intangible cultural heritage in urban contexts;

Economic dimensions of safeguarding intangible cultural heritage

5. Takes note of the activities undertaken by the Secretariat regarding the thematic initiative on the economic dimensions of safeguarding intangible cultural heritage, particularly in advancing with intersectoral cooperation and with developing sector-specific guidance and encourages the Secretariat to continue this endeavour;
6. Further encourages States Parties and relevant stakeholders to continue incorporating heritage-sensitive and rights-based approaches into the economic dimensions of safeguarding intangible cultural heritage, and to enhance the exchange of good practices;

Safeguarding intangible cultural heritage and climate change

7. Welcomes the outcomes of the expert meeting on safeguarding intangible cultural heritage and climate change, and expresses gratitude to the experts for their efforts and pertinent contributions;
8. Takes note of the guidance note on climate action for living heritage annexed to this decision and encourages the Secretariat to pursue its efforts in raising awareness and promoting the implementation of the guidance note among a diverse range of stakeholders and to continue strengthening cooperation with other international frameworks, such as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and its Group of Friends of Culture-Based Climate Action;
9. Recalls that, consistent with Article 18 of the 2017 UNESCO Declaration of Ethical Principles in relation to Climate Change, no document or declaration produced within this thematic initiative should be understood as an interpretation of any of the principles and provisions of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and of the Paris Agreement adopted under it;

Safeguarding intangible cultural heritage in urban contexts

10. Appreciates the preparatory activities undertaken so far and invites the Secretariat to pursue its endeavours through the organization of an expert meeting in 2025 with a view to develop a guidance note to support the efforts of States Parties and other stakeholders in integrating intangible cultural heritage safeguarding in sustainable urban development;
11. Welcomes the elaboration in parallel of a capacity-building approach, including practical tools for urban planners and heritage practitioners, and further invites the Secretariat to continue its refinement with a view to fostering resilience and sustainability in urban contexts;

Ways forward

12. Encourages the Secretariat to continue its engagement with global development agendas to further amplify the visibility and impact of the thematic initiatives, and to strengthen the Convention’s contribution to advancing the sustainable development goals;
13. Further encourages the Secretariat to explore the implications of emerging technologies on living heritage, and to take steps toward developing guidance on how to effectively harness digital tools for safeguarding purposes while addressing potential risks;
14. Calls upon States Parties and potential partners to provide financial contributions in support of the ongoing thematic initiatives as well as the new initiative related to emerging technologies;
15. Requests the Secretariat to report on the progress made in the implementation of thematic initiatives for examination by the Committee at its twentieth session in 2025.