Morocco was elected on Saturday as vice-president of the Intangible World Heritage Committee, in the person of the permanent ambassador-delegate of the Kingdom to Unesco, Samir Addahre.
Morocco’s election to this post took place on the occasion of the 16th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Unesco, which met online from December 13 to 18.
The Committee is made up of 24 representatives elected from among the 180 States Parties to the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. The convention promotes the safeguarding of the knowledge and know-how necessary for traditional craftsmanship, as well as cultural practices passed down from generation to generation, such as oral traditions, performing arts, social practices, rituals and festive events as well as knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe.
The main functions of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage are to promote the objectives of the Convention, to advise on best practices and to make recommendations on measures to safeguard the intangible cultural heritage.
The Committee studies applications for inclusion on the Lists as well as proposals for programs or projects. It is also responsible for providing international assistance.
The Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage is preparing the implementation of the Convention, mainly through the development of a series of operational guidelines and a plan for the use of the resources of the Fund for the Safeguarding of Cultural Heritage. intangible as defined in article 25 of the Convention. He submits these documents to the General Assembly for approval.
During its 16th session, the Committee inscribed 43 new elements on the intangible heritage lists, including Moroccan equestrian art, the Tbourida, or even Arabic calligraphy and falconry.
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