The Committee,

1. Having examined document ITH/16/11.COM/9.c,
2. Recalling Article 24.3 of the Convention
3. Expresses 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 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 brought to the beneficiary States for safeguarding intangible cultural heritage present in their territory and further encourages them to continue to ensure the sustainability and enhancement of the results of the projects;
6. Congratulates Morocco for submitting a nomination to the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding as a result of the preparatory assistance granted by its Bureau;
7. Regrets the non-use of the preparatory assistance mechanism for two consecutive years;
8. Requests the Secretariat to 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;
9. Acknowledges the need to enhance the human capacities of the Secretariat on a lasting basis in order to provide more sustained support to beneficiary States in the implementation of projects financed by International Assistance and better monitor the general implementation of this mechanism.