As the Twentieth session of the Intergovernmental Committee is soon to begin in New Delhi, India, a rich programme of side events will take place throughout the week, highlighting diverse safeguarding practices and offering opportunities to discuss, share experiences and celebrate achievements. Explore below some of the highlights of the upcoming programme.
On Sunday 7 December, the ICH NGO Forum will launch the week’s activities with its Annual Symposium under the theme ‘Leaving No-One Behind: Intangible Cultural Heritage and Inclusion with Emphasis on Persons with Disabilities and Special Needs’. This renewed exchange provides a space to strengthen collaboration amongst key actors of the Convention in support of the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage. The symposium will be broadcast online, enabling audiences worldwide to follow. More information is available on the ICH NGO Forum website: https://www.ichngoforum.org/.
On Monday 8 December, the roundtable ‘Living heritage and sustainability: the role of accredited NGOs in advancing the UN Development Agenda after MONDIACULT 2025’ will be co-organised by the Ministry of Culture of Spain, the ICH NGO Forum, and UNESCO as a follow-up to MONDIACULT 2025, to further explore the role of living heritage safeguarding in advancing the objective of recognizing culture as a Sustainable Development Goal in its own right.
On Tuesday 9 and Wednesday 10 December, during the lunch break, two thematic roundtables will be convened: one roundtable focusing on the linkages between intangible cultural heritage and education and a two-part panel discussion exploring the economic dimensions of the living heritage safeguarding
The Host Country has also prepared an extensive programme of demonstrations and cultural celebrations, offering the opportunity to experience living heritage in India firsthand.
In parallel, as the Committee proceeds with the examination of nominations to the Lists of the 2003 Convention, upcoming celebratory moments will provide submitting States Parties with the opportunity to share the pride and joy of the new inscriptions — together with representatives of the concerned communities present or connected online, as well as experts and participants attending the session.
This year’s programme places strong emphasis on inclusion, sustainability and intersectoral collaboration — demonstrating how living heritage contributes to social cohesion, well-being and resilient communities.
Explore the full calendar of events: https://ich.unesco.org/en/calendar-of-events-01392
Event:
-
20th session of the Intergovernmental Committee (8 December 2025 – 12 December 2025)