Two new elements inscribed on the Urgent Safeguarding List

On their way to the catholic church the godmothers of the Pregon, carry the shrine through the streets of San Pedro Sacatepequez

3 December 2013

The eighth session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage today reviewed the periodic reports of States Parties on their implementation of the Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage. These reports, which show the various measures taken to ensure effective implementation of the Convention, including in the legislative and institutional areas and the state of elements inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, constitute one of the key mechanisms of the Convention. This year, ten countries have submitted such reports.

The Committee has also inscribed two new elements on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding:

Inscriptions on this List help to mobilize international cooperation and assistance for stakeholders to undertake appropriate measures to safeguard intangible cultural heritage whose viability is at risk despite the efforts of the community and the States Parties concerned.

Chaired by Mr Abulfas Garayev, Minister of Culture and Tourism of Azerbaijan, the Committee is currently held in Baku from 2 to 7 December. It will continue the examination of nominations to the Urgent Safeguarding List and discuss two proposals for the Register of Best Safeguarding Practices. Follow the meeting live: