Maria Claudia López has 30 years of experience in public policies, plans, and programmes related to culture, cultural heritage, and sustainable development. She has extensive experience implementing the 2003 Convention at the national level in Colombia and served as an advisor for the nomination of “Cuadros Vivos de Galeras” to the Representative List. Additionally, she coordinated a project focused on identifying ICH-led economic development opportunities for ethnic groups and a project focused on the safeguarding of ICH in urban conflict, emergencies and migration contexts.

In 2019, Maria Claudia chaired the 14th session of the Intergovernmental Committee of the 2003 Convention. She has also worked as a consultant and facilitator for UNESCO, developing capacity-building materials on ICH in urban contexts. Maria Claudia is a member of ICOMOS and has facilitated projects in approximately 10 countries across Latin America and the Caribbean