23 de abril de 2026
At its 224th session (8-23 April 2026), UNESCO’s Executive Board approved the establishment of the UNESCO–Sultan Haitham Prize for Intangible Cultural Heritage Safeguarding (Document 224 EX/8.II), following a proposal by the Government of the Sultanate of Oman. This new Prize marks an important milestone in strengthening international recognition of efforts to safeguard living heritage.
The Prize aims to recognize the efforts of organizations in making effective and impactful contributions to the safeguarding, transmission and promotion of intangible cultural heritage, transmission and promotion of intangible cultural heritage. Awarded every two years, the Prize will consist of a single award of US$150,000, to be granted to a laureate selected by an independent jury of experts in the field of intangible cultural heritage. It complements UNESCO’s existing Prizes in the field of culture, while introducing a dedicated focus on living heritage safeguarding.
By highlighting impactful safeguarding approaches, the Prize will contribute to raising global awareness of the importance of intangible cultural heritage for cultural diversity, social cohesion and sustainable development. It is also expected to foster the sharing of communities’ aspirations, experiences and knowledge, notably through synergies with the Platform for sharing good safeguarding experiences.
Generously supported by the Government of the Sultanate of Oman, the proposal to establish the Prize reflects the strong commitment of the State to UNESCO’s mandate in Culture and international cooperation.
