Ukraine Elected to UNESCO's Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage for the First Time

Ukraine was elected for the first time to the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage at UNESCO headquarters in Paris during the 10th session of the General Assembly of States Parties to the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage at UNESCO headquarters. Ukraine will participate in the work of this committee for 4 years, the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine reported. 

"This is a historic event for Ukraine and at the same time a great responsibility. We express our sincere gratitude to the States Parties to the Convention for their trust and the opportunity to consolidate efforts to protect intangible cultural heritage. This is another victory for Ukrainian cultural diplomacy, which United Nations for a common goal!" said Rostyslav Karandaiev, Acting Minister of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine.

The ministry noted that Ukraine's election to the committee not only contributes to a positive image of the state, but will also contribute to the ‘effective achievement and fulfilment’ of the obligations assumed by the country by ratifying the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Back in 1988, Ukraine ratified the Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage of 1972. This Convention is the basis for the status of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

In addition, the convention provides for the obligations of a state that has cultural and natural heritage, as well as promotes international cooperation on its protection. Each state party to the convention is obliged not to harm the heritage located on the territory of other states parties.