Safeguarding our living heritage

2003 Convention The Lists
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Tea pluckers are picking tea leaves at a tea plantation in Mount Wuyi, Fujian Province

News

Six new International Assistance projects supported by the Intangible Cultural Heritage Fund

9 June 2026 –  Iraq, Morocco, Samoa, Eswatini, Syrian Arab Republic, ...

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Statutory meeting and activities

20th session of the Intergovernmental Committee
8/12/2025 - 13/12/2025
New Delhi (India)

11th session of the General Assembly
17/06/2026 - 18/06/2026
Paris (France)
Reflection on a broader implementation of Article 18 of the 2003 Convention

General Assemblies 11.GA (2026) 10.GA (2024) 9.GA (2022) 8.GA (2020) 7.GA (2018) 6.GA (2016) 5.GA (2014) 4.GA (2012) 3.GA (2010) 2.GA (2008) 1.EXT.GA 1.GA (2006)

Committees 20.COM (2025) 19.COM (2024) 18.COM (2023) 17.COM (2022) 5.EXT.COM (2022) 16.COM (2021) 15.COM (2020) 14.COM (2019) 13.COM (2018) 12.COM (2017) 11.COM (2016) 10.COM (2015) 9.COM (2014) 8.COM (2013) 4.EXT.COM (2012) 7.COM (2012) 6.COM (2011) 5.COM (2010) 4.COM (2009) 3.COM (2008) 3.EXT.COM (2008) 2.EXT.COM (2008) 2.COM (2007) 1.EXT.COM (2007) 1.COM (2006)

International Day of the Intangible Cultural Heritage

International Day of the Intangible Cultural Heritage

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Events

21st session of the Intergovernmental Committee

21st session of the Intergovernmental Committee

30/11/2026 - 05/12/2026
Xiamen (China)
International Day of the Intangible Cultural Heritage 2026
Fourth meeting of the 21.COM Bureau

Fourth meeting of the 21.COM Bureau

22/09/2026 - 22/09/2026
UNESCO Headquarters (France)
Fourteenth session of the annual coordination meeting of category 2 centres

Fourteenth session of the annual coordination meeting of category 2 centres

19/06/2026 - 19/06/2026
UNESCO Headquarters (France)
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Sharing good safeguarding experiences

Find inspiration in numerous approaches and measures implemented by communities worldwide to address specific needs in safeguarding living heritage. The platform for sharing good safeguarding experiences currently under development aims to promote broader implementation of Article 18 of the 2003 Convention.

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Themes & programmes

Indigenous Peoples

Indigenous Peoples

Indigenous peoples hold a rich diversity of living heritage, including practices, representations, expressions, knowledge and skills.

Sustainable Development

Sustainable Development

The notion of ‘sustainability’ in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development echoes the concept of ‘living heritage’ in the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Priority Africa

Priority Africa

Africa’s rich living heritage plays a fundamental role in building a strong cultural identity and shared values across the region.

Livelihoods

Livelihoods

Economic activities linked with the practice of living heritage can generate income for communities, groups and individuals.

Climate change

Climate change

Climate change is a largely irreversible and often destructive process inflicting damage on the cultural heritage.

Education

Education

Education plays a key role in safeguarding intangible cultural heritage.

Emergency situations

Emergency situations

Living heritage throughout the world is increasingly affected by emergencies, including conflicts and disasters caused by natural and human-induced hazards.

Capacity Building

Capacity Building

The Programme was put in place in 2009 to support countries in safeguarding their intangible cultural heritage and harness its potential for sustainable development, while promoting broad public knowledge and support for the Convention.

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