New Delhi, Dec 7 (NationPress) In an effort to enhance India’s soft power, the Union Ministry of Culture (MoC) is set to host the six-day 20th session of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage starting Monday at the iconic Red Fort, an official announced.

Up to now, 15 elements from India have been included on the UNESCO Representative list, and the nation has participated in the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for three terms, according to a Ministry official's statement.

By organizing the 20th session of the ICH Committee from December 8 to 13, India seeks to elevate global awareness of its intangible or living heritage, which encompasses lesser-known traditions, local crafts, and regional festivals, thereby drawing international support, interest, research, tourism, and resource mobilization.

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

The 2003 Convention was a response to global concerns that living cultural traditions, oral practices, performing arts, social customs, rituals, knowledge systems, and craftsmanship were increasingly under threat due to globalization, social change, and resource limitations.

With a collective commitment to safeguarding humanity’s living heritage, the Convention established formal mechanisms for international cooperation, support, and recognition, creating the groundwork for UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage lists and the ongoing efforts of the Intergovernmental Committee.

The Intergovernmental Committee for Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage promotes the goals of the 2003 Convention and ensures their effective execution across Member States.

To fulfill this role, the Committee advocates and monitors the objectives and implementation of the 2003 Convention; offers guidance on best practices and recommends strategies for safeguarding intangible cultural heritage, and prepares and submits a draft plan for utilizing the Intangible Cultural Heritage Fund to the General Assembly.

The Committee also seeks additional resources for the Fund in line with the Convention’s provisions and drafts operational directives for the Convention's implementation.

The six-day 20th session at the Red Fort, organized by the Ministry in collaboration with its autonomous body Sangeet Natak Akademi (SNA), will enable India to leverage the global attention to inspire further domestic initiatives such as documentation, inventorying, nomination dossiers, and community engagement, particularly among youth and future generations.

The Ministry of Culture also plans to utilize this platform for cultural diplomacy, showcasing India’s soft-power, cultural richness, diversity, and leadership in heritage on an international stage.

This event is expected to bolster the connection between heritage conservation and sustainable development, recognizing intangible heritage as a resource for livelihood, community identity, social cohesion, and cultural tourism, as highlighted in the statement.