Intangible Cultural Heritage: the United Kingdom becomes the 183rd State to join UNESCO’s Convention

Created in 2003, UNESCO’s Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage recognizes traditional craftsmanship, oral traditions and expressions, performing arts, social practices, rituals and festive events, knowledge and practices related to nature and the universe. 

The United Kingdom is thus committed to an increased inventory of the country’s traditions, including practices inspired by diaspora communities, and to better safeguarding of the most at-risk. To this end, the Government of the United Kingdom launched a public consultation in January 2024 on the creation of a new register onto which communities across the country could “nominate their most cherished local traditions”. 

Over the past seven years, the number of ratifications of UNESCO’s Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage by Member States has accelerated with 11 additional countries joining the Convention: Angola, Kiribati, Libya, Malta, San Marino, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Somalia, Suriname, Tuvalu, and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

20 years of protecting communities’ living heritage 

In two decades, the Convention has highlighted the importance of living heritage, brought more communities voices to the forefront and become a reference for States in the establishment of policies and institutions, legal frameworks and  educational and economic programmes. Today, 730 elements are inscribed on the Convention’s Lists and Register.

The International Assistance of the Convention, provides dedicated resources for States to implement safeguarding programmes, community-based inventorying, awareness-raising, specific knowledge on safeguarding in emergency situations and training of experts. For the past seven years, it has benefited projects in more than 70 countries with a total amount of $12.7 million. More than half of this financial assistance benefited African States. 

While important progress has been made, emerging challenges remain ahead for living heritage's viability. This includes the protection of cultural rights including those of indigenous communities; the integration of living heritage to reinforce the quality and relevance of the education system; the maximization of the positive effects of economic activities on communities; and mainstreaming of living heritage knowledge and practices into climate action. The support of the UK and all the Convention's States Parties and partners will be crucial in the coming years.

For more information about UNESCO’s 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, see: “Living Heritage : Safeguarding without Freezing”

About UNESCO

With 194 Member States, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization contributes to peace and security by leading multilateral cooperation on education, science, culture, communication and information. Headquartered in Paris, UNESCO has offices in 54 countries and employs over 2300 people. 

UNESCO oversees more than 2000 World Heritage sites, Biosphere Reserves and Global Geoparks; networks of Creative, Learning, Inclusive and Sustainable Cities; and over 13 000 associated schools, university chairs, training and research institutions. Its Director-General is Audrey Azoulay.

“Since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defenses of peace must be constructed” – UNESCO Constitution, 1945. 

More information: www.unesco.org