Delhi, December 7: The Government of India will host 20th session of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) from December 8 to 13 in New Delhi.

This will be the first time that India hosts the ICH Committee session, and the meeting will be chaired by Vishal V. Sharma, India’s permanent delegate to UNESCO.

The historic Red Fort complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has been chosen as the venue for the six-day long programme, symbolising the convergence of India’s tangible and intangible heritage under one roof.

The purposes of this convention are to safeguard the intangible cultural heritage, ensure respect for the intangible cultural heritage of the communities, groups and individuals concerned, raise awareness at the local, national and international levels of the importance of the intangible cultural heritage, and ensuring mutual appreciation thereof and to provide for global cooperation and assistance.

The event coincides with the 20th anniversary of India’s ratification of the 2003 Convention for Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2005, underscoring India’s sustained commitment to preserving living cultural traditions.

Intangible cultural heritage, as UNESCO defines it, include the practices, knowledge, expressions, objects, and spaces that communities see as part of their cultural identity. Passed down over generations, this heritage evolves, strengthening cultural identity and appreciation of diversity.

For the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, UNESCO adopted the 2003 Convention on October 17, 2003 during its 32nd General Conference in Paris.

The Ministry of Culture, the Sangeet Natak Akademi (SNA) are the nodal agencies to host the Session.