New Delhi, December 7, 2025 – Traditions, languages, music, rituals, and craftsmanship represent the most “democratic expression of culture,” owned collectively by communities and safeguarded by generations, Union Minister for External Affairs S. Jaishankar said on Sunday. Addressing delegates from across the globe at the opening ceremony of a key UNESCO meeting on Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH), Jaishankar highlighted the importance of cultural inheritance as both a foundation for progress and a means to foster peace, understanding, and shared prosperity.
The ceremony, held at the Red Fort complex in New Delhi, marked the beginning of the 20th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, which will take place from December 8 to 13. This is the first time India has hosted a session of the UNESCO panel, a milestone that reflects the country’s commitment to preserving and promoting its rich cultural legacy.
Cultural Heritage as a Democratic Expression
Jaishankar emphasized that intangible cultural heritage—encompassing rituals, languages, traditions, performing arts, and craftsmanship—is not the domain of a select few, but belongs to all people. “They are in many ways the most democratic expression of culture, owned by all and guarded by many,” he said, noting that these forms of heritage are transmitted through community practice and collective memory rather than through formal institutional structures.
He underscored that protecting and promoting intangible heritage is not only about conserving the past, but also about building a foundation for future generations, ensuring that these practices remain vibrant and relevant in contemporary society. “As we forge ahead in the shared quest for progress and prosperity, it is essential that we nurture inheritance, build on it, and pass it on to the future generations,” Jaishankar said.
UNESCO’s Role and Global Significance
Highlighting UNESCO’s pivotal role, Jaishankar said international cooperation is essential in safeguarding intangible heritage. He noted that the organization provides crucial guidance, recognition, and support to ensure that cultural expressions, which often transcend borders, are preserved and promoted. He emphasized that global solidarity and shared responsibility are critical in maintaining cultural diversity and ensuring that traditional practices are not lost to modernization or neglect.
The minister acknowledged that intangible heritage plays a unique role in fostering social cohesion and understanding. Unlike physical monuments or artifacts, intangible cultural expressions are actively lived experiences, practiced in daily life, celebrated during festivals, and passed down through oral and performance traditions. This makes them accessible, participatory, and inherently democratic.
India’s Contribution and Hosting the Session
Hosting the 20th session of the Intergovernmental Committee at the historic Red Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, carries deep symbolic significance. The Red Fort, located in Shahjahanabad, serves as a living testament to India’s rich historical and cultural legacy, bridging the past with the present.
India’s hosting of this session reflects its longstanding commitment to safeguarding intangible cultural heritage at both national and international levels. By bringing together delegates from state parties, cultural experts, and policymakers, the session will serve as a platform for reviewing nominations submitted for inscription on the UNESCO ICH lists, evaluating the status of existing elements, and extending international assistance for preservation efforts.
During the event, India showcased its vibrant cultural diversity through thematic galleries and performances, highlighting music, dance, traditional crafts, and other forms of intangible heritage from across the country. These exhibitions underscored India’s approach to safeguarding heritage—not merely as historical artifacts, but as living practices that continue to shape the social and cultural fabric of communities.
Participation of Key Leaders
The opening ceremony was attended by a number of dignitaries, including Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, UNESCO Director-General Khaled El-Enany, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, and India’s Ambassador and Permanent Delegate to UNESCO, Vishal V. Sharma. The presence of such high-level officials highlighted the importance India places on cultural preservation and international cooperation.
Jaishankar acknowledged that traditions, languages, rituals, music, and craftsmanship are not merely aesthetic expressions—they are essential aspects of cultural inheritance, shaping identity, social cohesion, and values. He highlighted that intangible heritage connects people across generations and borders, fostering a sense of belonging and shared responsibility.
Focus Areas of the Session
The UNESCO session will focus on several key objectives:
- Examining nominations submitted by state parties for inscription on the UNESCO ICH lists, ensuring recognition and protection of diverse cultural expressions.
- Reviewing the status of existing elements, evaluating how they are being safeguarded and identifying challenges in their transmission and practice.
- Providing international assistance, including technical expertise, funding, and collaborative frameworks, to help countries preserve and promote intangible cultural heritage.
The session is expected to stimulate dialogue on best practices, innovative approaches, and strategies for integrating heritage preservation into development and education programs. It will also provide a platform for member states to share success stories, challenges, and insights from their respective contexts.
Cultural Significance and Global Perspective
Jaishankar stressed that intangible heritage represents the living, breathing dimension of culture, often reflecting the daily lives, beliefs, and practices of ordinary people. Unlike tangible heritage, which can be preserved physically, intangible heritage requires active engagement, transmission, and participation by communities.
He argued that protecting these expressions is particularly crucial in today’s globalized world, where rapid urbanization, migration, and technological changes threaten traditional ways of life. UNESCO’s support, combined with national initiatives, ensures that these practices remain dynamic, resilient, and relevant to contemporary society while retaining their cultural authenticity.
India’s Cultural Leadership
By hosting this session, India reaffirmed its leadership role in promoting global cultural heritage, showcasing not only its rich traditions but also its ability to convene international dialogue on safeguarding heritage. The event also reflects India’s commitment to achieving sustainable development goals by linking culture with education, community development, and inclusive growth.
Jaishankar concluded his address by emphasizing that intangible cultural heritage is not a relic of the past but a living legacy that must be nurtured and celebrated. Its democratic nature—being collectively owned, practiced, and transmitted—ensures that culture remains accessible, participatory, and reflective of the values of society.
Looking Ahead
The 20th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage at the Red Fort is expected to generate policy recommendations, collaborative frameworks, and actionable strategies for safeguarding cultural expressions globally. India’s hosting of the event underscores the country’s commitment to preserving its intangible heritage while promoting international cooperation and cultural diplomacy.
As the delegates deliberate over nominations, status reviews, and safeguarding measures, the session will set the tone for global efforts to protect the world’s intangible cultural heritage, ensuring that traditions, languages, music, and crafts continue to thrive for generations to come.
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