Indonesia, Two ASEAN Peers Join Seats On UNESCO Cultural Heritage Committee

By Nik Nurfaqih Nik Wil

JAKARTA, June 18 (Bernama) -- Indonesia has been elected to the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, the key body overseeing the implementation of UNESCO's 2003 convention on intangible cultural heritage, for the 2026-2030 term.

Indonesia's Foreign Ministry in a statement on Thursday said the election was held during the 11th General Assembly of the States Parties to the convention at UNESCO headquarters in Paris on June 17.

Indonesia won one of four available seats allocated to the Asia-Pacific group in a contest involving six candidates, and joined fellow ASEAN members the Philippines and Cambodia, along with Japan, on the committee, it said.

The committee comprises 24 members elected from among the 185 States Parties to the convention and is responsible for evaluating nominations to UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists as well as formulating policy guidance for safeguarding cultural heritage worldwide.

Indonesia's Ambassador to France and Permanent Delegate to UNESCO Mohamad Oemar said Indonesia would contribute to global policymaking on cultural safeguarding, promote a more inclusive implementation of the 2003 Convention, and strengthen the capacity of local communities.

Meanwhile, Deputy Permanent Delegate of Indonesia to UNESCO, I Gusti Agung Ketut Satrya Wibawa, said Indonesia would use its position on the committee to advance the interests of developing countries in the protection of cultural heritage.

-- BERNAMA