The United Arab Emirates has been elected as a member of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of UNESCO for the period 2024-2028, marking a new achievement in its record of accomplishments. This decision was made during the tenth session of the General Assembly of States Parties to the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, which commenced today and will last for two days. This is the second time the UAE has secured membership in this committee, reflecting recognition of its significant contributions to supporting local communities and preserving historical legacies, according to "WAM."
Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairwoman of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, emphasized the importance of unifying efforts among countries and international organizations, as well as exchanging experiences and knowledge to enhance the preservation of cultural heritage worldwide. She praised the substantial global efforts made by the UAE to maintain historical legacies and its role in supporting communities and raising awareness about the importance of intangible cultural heritage, which is an integral part of human history and shared heritage.
She stated: "The UAE leads efforts to preserve human heritage and foster dialogue between cultures in its commitment to safeguarding, reviving, and sustaining the elements of its authentic heritage, characterized by its wide cultural diversity in the field of intangible cultural heritage. It has succeeded in achieving tangible milestones by registering many elements of this heritage on the UNESCO list. The UAE's selection as a member for the second time in the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage is a culmination of the extensive efforts it has led in preserving rich cultural heritage and supporting cultural and civilizational communication and exchange between different communities."
Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum noted Dubai's commitment to preserving intangible cultural heritage through various active initiatives in this area, as well as all efforts aimed at consolidating the UAE's presence and enhancing its leadership on an international level.
The UAE ranked first in the Arab world in terms of the number of elements listed on UNESCO's lists of intangible cultural heritage. It led the list of joint cultural files with the "Falconry" file, the largest joint cultural file within the intangible cultural heritage of humanity, credited to the efforts of the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi.
In the next four years, the UAE will continue its cooperation with member states to achieve the goals of the 2003 Convention, providing necessary guidance on best practices and recommendations for safeguarding intangible cultural heritage, according to "WAM."
The UAE has signed an agreement with the Arab Organization for Education, Culture, and Science (ALECSO) to support Arab countries in Africa in submitting joint files for inclusion on UNESCO’s intangible cultural heritage lists.
The UAE benefits from its extensive experience in registering intangible heritage to promote the role of Arab heritage as an important part of global heritage. The Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage includes 24 State Parties, elected by the General Assembly of States Parties for a four-year term and meeting annually.
During its membership period, the UAE aims to reinforce its unwavering commitment to preserving intangible heritage as a committee member, including through the review of heritage registration requests as well as proposals for programs and projects.
