Parliament- Q/A-Safeguarding India’s intangible cultural heritage

The 20th Session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (20.COM), convened under the UNESCO 2003 Convention, was hosted by the Government of India at the Red Fort (Lal Qila), New Delhi, from 8 to 13 December 2025. The Session marked a historic milestone as it was the first time that India hosted the Intergovernmental Committee under the UNESCO 2003 Convention. It also coincided with the twentieth anniversary of India’s ratification of the Convention, reaffirming India’s longstanding commitment to safeguarding living heritage and strengthening international cultural cooperation.

The Session witnessed the participation of approximately 1,200 delegates from around 130 countries, including representatives of States Parties, members of the Intergovernmental Committee, UNESCO officials, accredited non-governmental organisations, cultural institutions, experts and community practitioners. It served as an important global platform for policy dialogue, exchange of best practices and international cooperation in the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage.

The principal objectives of hosting the Session were to enhance the global visibility of India’s rich and diverse living heritage; showcase its community-based safeguarding practices; contribute to international discussions on intangible cultural heritage and sustainable development; and strengthen India’s leadership in international cultural cooperation under the UNESCO 2003 Convention.

This information was given by Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today(UPDATED ON 6TH AUGUST 2026)