Art & CultureNews

Ethiopia Elected to UNESCO’s Committee of Intangible Cultural Heritage

ADDIS ABABA – Ethiopia has been elected to the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, according to the Ethiopian Embassy in Paris.

The election took place during the 9th session of the General Assembly of States Parties to the 2003 UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage. 

The General Assembly, attended by 180 States Parties including Ethiopia is held at UNESCO Headquarters, Paris, from Tuesday 5 to Thursday 7 July 2022. 

On the final day, the assembly elected twelve new members of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. 

Ethiopia is one of them, its embassy announced in a statement sayings “Ethiopia is very proud of being elected into Intergovernmental Committee on Intangible Cultural Heritage.”

The function of the Intergovernmental  Committee includes promoting the objectives of the Convention, provide guidance on best practices, and making recommendations on measures for the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage.

The committee also examines requests submitted by States Parties for the inscription of intangible heritage on the Lists as well as proposals for programs and projects. It is also in charge of granting international assistance.

“As one of the representatives of Africa, Ethiopia will work for a more balanced & truly representative list of inscribed intangible heritage, reflecting the beauty and diversity of our world,” the Ethiopian embassy statement said. 

Henok Tefera, Ethiopia’s ambassador to France, represented his country in the general assembly,  that is discussing issues that are important for the safeguarding of living heritage around the world and the future of the Convention.