India hosts the 20th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage from 8 to 13 December 2025 at Red Fort (Lal Qila), New Delhi. Its aims and objective are as under:

1. Examining nominations submitted by States Parties for inscription on the UNESCO ICH Lists
2. Reviewing the status of existing elements
3. Providing international assistance for safeguarding intangible cultural heritage

 

India currently has 15 elements inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The details of these elements are placed at annexure.

The core issues likely to be taken up during the meeting are as under:

•  Assessment of safeguarding reports submitted by States about existing listed elements
•  Requests for international assistance to support safeguarding of ICH
•  Discuss “living heritage safeguarding,” best practices, and innovative safeguarding methodologies
• Reporting and future planning for safeguarding of ICH

 

Over 800 delegates from more than 180 countries, including Committee Members, UNESCO officials, experts, accredited NGOs and practitioners are likely to participate in this event.

Hosting of the said meeting offers several strategic and diplomatic advantages for India and strengthen its collaboration with UNESCO. The meeting will help the country by increasing its global influence and cultural Diplomacy & soft power, providing a platform to showcase its diverse heritage, strengthening international cooperation on cultural preservation and inspiring younger generations to connect with their cultural identity.

      The event also provides an opportunity for India to lead discussions on important heritage issues and solidify its position as a global leader in cultural diplomacy.

This information was given by Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today

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M Annadurai

pibculture[at]gmail[dot]com

 

Annexure

 

Details of 15 elements inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity

 

S. No.	ICH Heritage	Year of Inscription
	Kutiyattam, Sanskrit theatre	2008
	Tradition of Vedic chanting	2008
	Ramlila, the traditional performance of the Ramayana	2008
	Ramman, religious festival and ritual theatre of the Garhwal Himalayas, India	2009
	Mudiyettu, ritual theatre and dance drama of Kerala	2010
	Kalbelia folk songs and dances of Rajasthan	2010
	Chhau dance	2010
	Buddhist chanting of Ladakh: recitation of sacred Buddhist texts in the trans-Himalayan Ladakh region, Jammu and Kashmir, India	2012
	Sankirtana, ritual singing, drumming and dancing of Manipur	2013
	Traditional brass and copper craft of utensil making among the Thatheras of Jandiala Guru, Punjab, India	2014
	Yoga	2016
	Nawrouz, Novruz, Nowrouz, Nowrouz, Nawrouz, Nauryz, Nooruz, Nowruz, Navruz, Nevruz, Nowruz, Navruz	2016
	Kumbh Mela	2017
	Durga Puja in Kolkata	2021
	Garba of Gujarat	2023

 

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