UNESCO treaty to protect oral traditions on track to enter into force next year

With 20 countries already ratifying a treaty to protect the world’s oral traditions, performing arts, social practices, craftsmanship and knowledge of nature, the so-called Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage is on track to enter into force next year, according to the latest United Nations update.

The Convention, adopted by the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) General Conference in 2003, will enter into force three months after the 30th State Party deposits its instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession.

“Few UNESCO conventions have been ratified by as many states in such a short time,” UNESCO Director-General Koïchiro Matsuura said. “If this pace is kept up, we can expect the Convention to enter into force as early as next year.

“The interest shown by States for intangible cultural heritage is a source of joy and comfort for all who are concerned about its vulnerability,” he added.

The treaty, completing UNESCO’s normative instruments on the conservation of tangible cultural heritage, aims to safeguard oral traditions and expressions, performing arts, social practices, rituals and festive events, traditional craftsmanship, as well as knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe that communities, groups and, in some cases, individuals recognize as part of their cultural heritage.

It provides for drawing up national inventories of cultural elements that must be protected, the creation of an intergovernmental committee comprising experts from future States Parties, and the creation of two lists: one covering the intangible heritage of humanity, and the other featuring parts of that heritage considered to be in urgent need of safeguarding.