**Executive Summary**
The 20th Session of UNESCO's Intergovernmental Committee for Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) successfully concluded in New Delhi on December 12, 2025. Shri Vivek Aggarwal, Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, expressed India's satisfaction in hosting the event and reiterated the country's commitment to protecting, promoting, and celebrating living heritage. The session highlighted Deepavali's inscription on UNESCO's Representative List.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Session Overview:**
* The 20th session focused on safeguarding intangible cultural heritage.
* India hosted the session in New Delhi at Red Fort.
* India reaffirmed its commitment to the protection, promotion, and celebration of living heritage.
* **Key Statements and Discussions:**
* Delegates engaged with the mechanisms of the UNESCO Convention and experienced India's cultural richness.
* India's civilizational view of culture as a collective inheritance was underscored.
* Many countries showed interest in multinational intangible heritage nominations, acknowledging traditions transcending borders.
* India welcomed collaborative efforts for transnational nominations in the future.
* **Highlights and Recognitions:**
* Deepavali was inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
* Intangible cultural heritage plays a vital role in sustaining communities and strengthening social bonds.
* Gratitude was extended to UNESCO, Director-General Khaled El-Enany, India's Permanent Representative to UNESCO, Member States, NGOs, cultural practitioners, and experts.
* Acknowledgement was given to institutions under the Ministry of Culture for their role in planning and executing the event.
* **Closing Remarks:**
* A call was made for Member States to nurture the spirit of global cultural unity.
* India aims to advance shared goals and strengthen cooperation in safeguarding intangible cultural heritage.
**Impact Analysis**
**UNESCO & Other Member States:**
* **Impact:** The session allowed engagement with the mechanisms of the Convention, fostered discussions on multinational intangible heritage nominations, and reinforced the importance of cultural unity.
* **Action Required:** Continue to nurture the spirit of global cultural unity and work towards advancing shared goals in safeguarding intangible cultural heritage.
**Ministry of Culture & Related Institutions (Sangeet Natak Akademi, Archaeological Survey of India, IGNCA, Sahitya Akademi, Lalit Kala Akademi, National School of Drama, and Zonal Cultural Centres):**
* **Impact:** Institutions involved in planning and executing the session were acknowledged for their vital role. The Ministry reaffirmed their dedication to protecting, promoting, and celebrating living heritage.
* **Action Required:** Continue supporting initiatives to protect, promote, and celebrate living heritage and contribute to future collaborative efforts.
**Cultural Practitioners and Experts:**
* **Impact:** Acknowledgment of their active participation in making the session impactful.
* **Action Required:** Continue participation in future sessions to discuss the safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage and share best practices.
Key Entities Referenced
UNESCO's Intergovernmental Committee for Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage: The intergovernmental body responsible for implementing the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Ministry of Culture: The Indian government ministry hosting the 20th session of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee in New Delhi.
Delhi: Location of the 20th session of the UNESCO's Intergovernmental Committee for Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Ministry of Culture
20th Session of UNESCO’s Intergovernmental
Committee for Safeguarding of Intangible
Cultural Heritage Successfully Concludes in New
Delhi
प्रव तथ: 12 DEC 2025 6:08PM by PIB Delhi
20th Session of UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural
Heritage (ICH) successfully concludes at Red Fort New Delhi today. Shri Vivek Aggarwal, Secretary,
Ministry of Culture in his address expressed India’s deep satisfaction at hosting the prestigious global
meeting and reaffirmed the country’s sustained commitment to the protection, promotion, and celebration
of living heritage.
Shri Vivek Aggarwal stated that the past days of deliberations and interactions allowed delegates not only
to engage with the working mechanisms of the Convention but also to experience India’s cultural richness,
inclusiveness, and diverse traditions. He underscored India’s long-standing civilizational view of culture
as a collective inheritance, guided by the ethos: “संृतेः रक्षणं, लोकस्य रक्षणम्” in protecting culture, we
protect humanity.
One of the highlights of this year’s Committee session was the inscription of Deepavali on UNESCO’s
Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The Secretary noted that Deepavali,
celebrated widely across India and beyond, symbolises light, hope, and renewal, and its inscription furtherreinforces the global recognition of India’s vibrant living traditions. He congratulated all Member States
whose elements were approved for inscription during this cycle.
Reflecting on the discussions held during the Session, Shri Aggarwal emphasised that intangible cultural
heritage plays a vital role in sustaining communities, strengthening social bonds, and ensuring continuity
of traditions, especially during times when globalisation, conflict, and climate-related pressures are
impacting cultural ecosystems worldwide.
The Secretary noted that many countries expressed concrete interest in multinational intangible heritage
nominations, acknowledging that numerous traditions naturally transcend national borders. India
welcomed this collaborative spirit and affirmed its readiness to jointly develop transnational nominations
in the coming years.
Shri Aggarwal extended India’s gratitude to UNESCO, including Director-General Dr. Khaled El-Enany,
India’s Permanent Representative to UNESCO Shri Vishal V. Sharma, Secretary Ms. Fumiko Ohinata,
Member States, accredited NGOs, cultural practitioners, and experts for their active participation in
making the Session impactful. He also acknowledged the efforts of institutions under the Ministry of
Culture including Sangeet Natak Akademi, Archaeological Survey of India, IGNCA, Sahitya Akademi,
Lalit Kala Akademi, National School of Drama, and Zonal Cultural Centres for their vital role in planning
and executing the event.
Concluding his address, the Secretary urged all Member States to continue nurturing the spirit of global
cultural unity, quoting the Atharva Veda: “समान व: वृणुते हृदयान” May our hearts choose the path of unity.
India, he said, looks forward to advancing shared goals and strengthening cooperation in safeguarding
intangible cultural heritage worldwide.
***
M Annadurai
(रलीज़ आईडी: 2203188) आगंतुक पटल : 1312
इस वज्ञ को इन भाषाओ ंम पढ़: Urdu , ही , Punjabi