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India has achieved a major cultural milestone by hosting the 20th Session of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) from 8–13 December 2025 in New Delhi. This is the first time India is hosting the ICH Committee session, marking 20 years of India’s ratification of the 2003 UNESCO Convention on safeguarding living heritage. The session is being held at the Red Fort Complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, symbolising the deep connection between tangible heritage (monuments) and intangible heritage (living traditions). Hosting an ICH event at such a historic site highlights India’s cultural continuity, civilisational depth, and inclusive heritage model. The meeting is chaired by India’s Permanent Delegate to UNESCO, reinforcing India’s leadership role in global cultural governance. The Ministry of Culture (MoC) and Sangeet Natak Akademi (SNA) are the nodal agencies coordinating the event. Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) includes living traditions such as rituals, festivals, performing arts, crafts, oral traditions, and knowledge systems passed across generations. Unlike monuments, ICH is dynamic, evolving with society, and deeply rooted in community participation. The 2003 UNESCO Convention, adopted in Paris, was created to protect living traditions threatened by globalisation and social change. Its core philosophy places communities, practitioners, and indigenous groups at the centre of safeguarding efforts, while promoting international cooperation and youth awareness. The Intergovernmental Committee for ICH plays a vital role in implementing the Convention. It oversees inscriptions on UNESCO ICH Lists, manages the ICH Fund, issues safeguarding guidelines, reviews country reports, and grants international assistance. India has served three terms on the ICH Committee and currently has 15 elements inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List, including Yoga, Kumbh Mela, Garba, Durga Puja, Vedic Chanting, Chhau, Kutiyattam, and Ramlila. By hosting this session, India aims to showcase its community-centric safeguarding model, promote joint nominations, strengthen youth engagement, enhance global visibility of lesser-known traditions, and link heritage conservation with sustainable development and livelihoods. This event strengthens India’s cultural diplomacy and soft power, setting an international example for inclusive preservation of living heritage. 👉 Join Our WhatsApp Channel- https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaaGAqPCxoAugdgpyH41 For any Query- Call Now: 📞 8988885050 or 8988886060 Email: 📩 info@vajiraoinstitute.com 🌐 Visit: www.vajiraoinstitute.com Registration is Now Open for both online and offline batches in 2025. Hurry up, limited seats. 📌 Follow us on Social Media: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/vajiraoinstitute/ Twitter - https://x.com/vajiraoandreddy LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/school/vajirao-and-reddy-institute-delhi Pinterest - https://in.pinterest.com/vajiraoandreddyinstitute #UNESCO #IntangibleCulturalHeritage #ICH #IndiaAtUNESCO #CulturalHeritage #LivingHeritage #RedFort #UNESCOConvention2003 #IndianCulture #CulturalDiplomacy #SoftPower #HeritagePreservation #UPSC #GS1 #ArtAndCulture #CurrentAffairs #India2025