New Delhi: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar will serve as the chief guest at the inaugural ceremony of a key UNESCO meeting focused on safeguarding intangible cultural heritage, which will be held at the historic Red Fort on December 7. This high-profile event precedes the 20th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH), scheduled from December 8 to 13 at the same venue.

Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, speaking to reporters ahead of the session, highlighted the significance of India hosting the meeting for the first time. “The inaugural ceremony of the UNESCO meet will be held on December 7 evening. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar will attend the ceremony,” Shekhawat said. The presence of top dignitaries underscores India’s growing role in promoting global cultural heritage initiatives.

In addition to Ministers Shekhawat and Jaishankar, the opening ceremony will see the participation of UNESCO Director-General Khaled El-Enany, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, and Vishal V. Sharma, India’s Ambassador and Permanent Delegate to UNESCO. Their attendance signals the importance of the session and India’s commitment to preserving and promoting intangible cultural heritage at both the national and international levels.

Union Culture Secretary Vivek Aggarwal noted that India’s nomination of the festival of Deepavali for UNESCO recognition will be examined during the meeting, specifically on December 10. The nomination was submitted in 2023 for the 2024-25 cycle, and officials have expressed optimism about a positive outcome. India currently boasts 15 elements inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. These include iconic cultural expressions such as Kumbh Mela, Durga Puja in Kolkata, Garba dance from Gujarat, yoga, Vedic chanting, and the traditional Ramlila performances of the Ramayana.

Aggarwal also shared that over 1,000 delegates from around 190 countries are expected to attend the session, highlighting the global significance of the event. The Red Fort complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, will serve not only as the meeting venue but also as a platform to showcase India’s rich cultural heritage through museum galleries, artefacts, state emporia, and live performance arts. Officials have indicated that these exhibitions and performances may remain accessible to the public for a month following the conclusion of the session on December 13.

The session will focus on several critical objectives, including the examination of nominations submitted by member states for inclusion on UNESCO ICH lists, reviewing the status of existing elements, and providing international assistance to safeguard intangible cultural heritage worldwide. India’s leadership in chairing the session will be under the stewardship of Ambassador Vishal V. Sharma, who will oversee proceedings and guide discussions on key heritage-related issues.

To accommodate the large-scale event, the Archaeological Survey of India announced that the Red Fort complex would be closed to the public from December 5 to 14. The 17th-century fort, built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan as the palace fort of his capital Shahjahanabad, remains a centrally protected monument. Certain British-era barracks within the fort complex will also be utilized to facilitate the session, providing logistical support for hosting delegates and conducting events.

The upcoming UNESCO session represents a milestone for India, reflecting the country’s active participation in global cultural governance and its ongoing efforts to preserve and promote intangible cultural heritage. Hosting the meeting for the first time at the Red Fort not only provides a prestigious backdrop for international discussions but also offers an opportunity to showcase India’s diverse cultural expressions to a global audience.

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