The Committee,

1. Having examined documents LHE/21/16.COM/10 Rev. and LHE/21/16.COM/INF.10 Rev.,
2. Recalling the 2013 ‘Evaluation of UNESCO’s Standard-setting Work of the Culture Sector: Part I – 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage’ (Document IOS/EVS/PI/129) and Decision COM 5.c.1,
3. Welcomes the timely submission by the Internal Oversight Service (IOS) of the 2021 evaluation of UNESCO’s action in the framework of the 2003 Convention, expresses its appreciation for the pertinent analysis undertaken by the IOS and takes note with interest of the findings of the evaluation, the twelve recommendations offered therein as well as the management response;
4. Expresses satisfaction with the overall success of the 2003 Convention in raising awareness on the distinct nature and importance of intangible cultural heritage and acknowledges that the significantly broadened scope and the intensified activities of the Convention bring about corresponding challenges with implications for human and financial resources, as well as the need to establish strategic priorities, in particular between programme support and statutory requirements, for its future development;
5. Thanks the Secretariat for the positive response to the twelve IOS recommendations and calls on it to develop a roadmap with clear timelines, cost analysis and outcomes, reflecting the recommendations, including through coordination between the culture and education sectors as well as the central services of UNESCO;
6. Urges States Parties to provide financial contributions to support the implementation of the recommendations through the modality of their choice;
7. Requests the Secretariat to report on the implementation status of the twelve recommendations for examination by the seventeenth session of the Committee.