The Bureau,

1. Recalling Article 23 of the Convention, as well as Chapters I.4, I.7 and I.14 of the Operational Directives relating to International Assistance requests,
2. Having examined document LHE/26/21.COM 3.BUR/4 and the request for preparatory assistance no. 02598 submitted by Morocco,
3. Takes note that Morocco has requested International Assistance in the amount of US$10,000 to prepare a nomination for Knowledge and skills associated with khettaras to the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding:

To be implemented by the ‘Fondation Miftah Essaad pour le capital immatériel du Maroc’, this preparatory assistance request aims to support the nomination of Khettara to the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding. Khettara is the ancient process of collecting groundwater from an aquifer and channelling it to the surface via horizontal galleries. This system, which is vital for the survival of oasis dwellers, is threatened by the depletion of groundwater reserves, the lack of transmission of traditional skills, and structural deterioration caused by alternating periods of flooding and severe drought. The emigration of skilled labour further jeopardises the maintenance of irrigation structures. The assistance will support the production of a film about khettara techniques, in particular for digging and underground drainage. It will also facilitate documentation, updating of the inventory, and preparing the nomination file.

4. Decides that, from the information provided in file no. 02598, the request responds as follows to the criteria for granting International Assistance given in paragraphs 10 and 12 of the Operational Directives:

Criterion A.1: The communities concerned by khettaras are small-scale farmers, local users of the traditional irrigation system and bearers who have the knowledge and techniques associated with the practices in the province of Errachidia. They are mainly sedentary populations composed of small-scale farmers who practice subsistence agriculture and livestock farming in the oasis lands. The request includes two regional consultation workshops to ensure their widest possible involvement in the preparation of the nomination and to obtain their free, prior and informed consent to nominate the element to the Urgent Safeguarding List. Furthermore, community members will be involved in updating the inventory and documentation related to it.

Criterion A.2: The amount requested by the State Party seems appropriate in relation to the proposed activities for the preparation of the nomination file to the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding.

Criterion A.3: The preparatory assistance will be used for the following activities: (a) inventorying and updating the information about the element; (b) the recruitment of experts for the research and documentation in view of elaborating the nomination file; (c) the production of photos and a video; and (d) the organization of two regional workshops with communities to obtain their free, prior and informed consent.

Criterion A.4: The requesting State Party is committed to submitting a nomination for the possible inscription of the element on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding. The submission is expected before 31 March 2027 for possible inscription by the Committee at its twenty-third session, provided that the nomination can be included in the 2028 cycle, in application of the annual ceiling for the number of nominations and the priority system in force at the time of the submission.

Criterion A.5: The requesting State Party will contribute 49 per cent (US$9,500) of the total amount of the project for preparatory assistance (US$19,500). Consequently, International Assistance is requested from the Intangible Cultural Heritage Fund for the remaining 51 per cent of the total amount of the project.

Criterion A.6: This element is at risk due to the loss of expertise caused by the migration of the practitioners and the impact of the climate change, including water floods and severe droughts. The project will contribute to raising awareness about intangible cultural heritage in general and enhance the viability of the element. The State Party seeks to encourage the communities concerned to continue the transmission of the knowledge and skills associated with khettaras.

Criterion A.7: The requesting State Party has benefitted from International Assistance from the Intangible Cultural Heritage Fund for two completed projects^[1]. The work stipulated in the contracts related to these projects was carried out in accordance with UNESCO regulations.

5. Approves the request for preparatory assistance from Morocco for the preparation of the nomination for Knowledge and skills associated with khettaras in view of its submission for possible inscription on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding, and grants the amount of US$10,000 to the requesting State Party to this end;
6. Requests that the Secretariat reach an agreement with the requesting State Party on the technical details of the assistance, paying particular attention to ensuring that the budget and the work plan of the activities to be covered by the Intangible Cultural Heritage Fund are detailed and specific enough to provide a sufficient justification of all the expenditures;
7. Invites the requesting State Party to use Form ICH-05-Report to report on the use of the assistance granted.