UNESCO and ICH

The General Conference of UNESCO met in Paris from 29 September to 17 October 2003 for its thirty-second session. During the session, the participants considered the importance of intangible cultural heritage as a driving force of cultural diversity and a guarantee for sustainable development. They also recognized, however, that developments leading to globalization and general social transformation are threatening the survival of this cultural heritage among practicing communities. Recognizing a need to safeguard intangible cultural heritage against threats of deterioration, disappearance, and destruction, the General Conference adopted the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Below are UNESCO publications related to the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. Clicking on the links will download the .pdf. For additional information about UNESCO and intangible cultural heritage, please visit the UNESCO ICH website.


ASIA-PACIFIC MEMBER STATES

Of the forty-eight Asia-Pacific UNESCO member states, forty have become signatories to the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. For information about all the signatories to the 2003 Convention, please visit the UNESCO website.