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Rwanda elected to UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage

Rwandan traditional dance ‘INTORE’ ©Rwanda National Commission for UNESCO

29 September 2020

Last update:20 April 2023

Rwanda has been elected a Member of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage during the eighth session of the General Assembly of States Parties to the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, which was held from 8 to 10 September 2020 at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, France.

With this election, Rwanda joins Djibouti from the Eastern Africa region to represent the Africa region on the Intergovernmental Committee for a term of four years alongside Botswana, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire and Togo.

Rwanda ratified the in 2013, and this is its first time serving on the Committee. As a member, Rwanda will help to promote the objectives of the Convention, provide guidance on best practices and make recommendations on measures for the safeguarding of the intangible cultural heritage.

The Committee Members also examine requests submitted by States Parties for the inscription of intangible heritage on the Lists as well as proposals for programmes and projects, and requests for international assistance from the .

We congratulate Rwanda on its nomination to the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, and we look forward to supporting Rwanda's leadership in identifying and safeguarding intangible cultural heritage as a new member of this prestigious body.

Ms. Ann Therese Ndong-Jatta, Director and Representative, UNESCO Regional Office for Eastern Africa