Periodic reporting under Article 29 of the 2003 Convention was reformed following the decision of the twelfth session of the Committee in 2017 (Decision 12.COM 10) to improve its quality, usefulness and timeliness, as well as to address the low submission rates. It was aligned with the Convention’s Overall Results Framework to ensure that the process was clearly in line with the overarching goals of implementing the Convention and to allow for more effective monitoring to achieve these goals (Resolution 7.GA 9 and Decision 14.COM 8). The periodicity of the reporting process was also amended such that States Parties would submit their reports every six years on the basis of a system of regional rotation (Decision 13.COM 8).

The regional approach adopted has significantly improved the timeliness and rate of submissions, while strengthening national capacities and peer-to-peer learning. The first regional reporting cycle also allowed substantial regional analysis of key trends. At the same time, periodic reporting has become increasingly interconnected with other cooperation mechanisms under the Convention, informing assessment and nomination-related processes, and contributing to the identification of priorities for International Assistance and targeted safeguarding measures.

Meanwhile, the MONDIACULT 2022 Declaration called for a UNESCO Global Report on Cultural Policies every four years, with the first edition issued in 2025, requiring adaptations under the 2003 Convention to support this comprehensive global analysis. In response, the Intergovernmental Committee approved a roadmap towards a single global submission system covering the Convention’s three reporting mechanisms (most recently at its twentieth session in December 2025, see Decision 20.COM 6.c), requiring all States Parties to submit their reports by 30 June 2027 and every four years thereafter, subject to approval of amendments to the Operational Directives by the eleventh session of the General Assembly (17 to 18 June 2026, UNESCO Headquarters).

The reflection year, which concludes the current reporting cycle, will be instrumental in assessing lessons learned and identifying gaps, with a view to further reinforcing the Convention’s reporting mechanisms and enhancing results-based monitoring. As a milestone of the reflection year, the global reflection meeting (28 to 30 April 2026, Online) will take stock of lessons learned, while laying the groundwork for the cycles ahead in light of the move towards a single global submission system.

Bringing together focal points for periodic reporting and key technical stakeholders, the meeting will serve as a platform for refining revisions to the periodic reporting forms. In addition, the meeting provides an opportunity for the Secretariat to share information on the capacity-building approach for the future periodic reporting cycles.

Documents

• Agenda and timetable (LHE/26/PR – RFL/1): English|French
• Background information (LHE/26/PR – RFL/2): English|French
• List of invitees (LHE/26/PR – RFL/3.Rev.2): English/French

Presentations

• Item 1: Background and objectives: looking back and looking ahead: English|French
• Item 2: Towards the single global submission system of periodic reports: calendar and milestones: English|French
• Item 3: Reporting under the Convention: overview of current modalities and areas for improvement

a) Simplification of Form ICH-10 on the implementation of the Convention and on the current status of elements inscribed on the Representative List: English|French

b) Reporting on elements inscribed on the Urgent Safeguarding List: English|French

c) Recent developments on the Register of Good Safeguarding Practices and possible reporting (or not) on the programmes, projects and activities selected for that mechanism: English|French

• Item 4: Strengthening capacities for periodic reporting

a) Plan for the future capacity-building approach: English|French

b) Role of the focal points in periodic reporting: English|French

Recordings

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3