The Committee,

1. Having examined document LHE/25/20.COM/6.a,
2. Recalling Chapter V of the Operational Directives and its Decisions COM 10.a.5 and 16.COM 7.a.6,
3. Expresses its appreciationto Ukraine for submitting, on time, its second report on the status of the element ‘Cossack’s songs of Dnipropetrovsk Region’, inscribed in 2016 on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding;
4. Welcomes the continued commitment of the communities, institutions and local authorities to the safeguarding of the element, despite the exceptional difficulties posed by the ongoing war, and recognizes the crucial role of the element as a source of emotional and mental support, identity and resilience in the current context;
5. Notes with appreciation the initiatives undertaken during the reporting period, such as the development of educational programmes, awareness raising and production of documentaries, and community-based transmission efforts, which have contributed to sustaining the viability of the element in emergency conditions;
6. Further notes the active participation of local communities and institutions in developing the safeguarding measures as well as the updated safeguarding plan, and highlights the importance of its flexibility to adapt to evolving circumstances;
7. Expresses concern over the continued threats to the element’s viability, including the advanced age of bearers and the limited youth engagement, which has been exacerbated by the negative impact of the war;
8. Invites the State Party to continue implementing youth-oriented safeguarding strategies, engaging community-based organizations in capacity-building and transmission efforts, and monitoring the viability of the element.