UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage to hold 2026 session in China

This photo taken on Dec. 12, 2025 shows a scene during the 20th regular session of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in New Delhi, India. The 20th regular session of the committee decided here on Friday to hold its 21st session in Xiamen, China, from Nov. 30 to Dec. 5, 2026. (Xinhua/Javed Dar)

NEW DELHI, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- The 20th regular session of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage decided here on Friday to hold its 21st session in Xiamen, China, from Nov. 30 to Dec. 5, 2026.

The committee is the statutory body of the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. It meets once a year in a regular session to oversee the implementation of the convention, elaborate operational directives, examine periodic reports submitted by States Parties, and evaluate nominations to UNESCO's Lists and Register of Intangible Cultural Heritage as well as requests for international assistance.

During the ongoing 20th session in New Delhi, the committee decided on Thursday to transfer China's "Hezhen Yimakan storytelling" from the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding to the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The committee also approved the inclusion of the safeguarding program for Hezhen Yimakan storytelling in the Register of Good Safeguarding Practices. ■