1. The Republic of Korea was elected as Vice Chair of UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage for the Asia-Pacific Group at its tenth session, which took place in Namibia, Windhoek from November 30 to December 5.

o The ROK, together with Ethiopia, Chair of the Committee, and Vice Chairs for each region - Turkey, Bulgaria, Saint Lucia, and Algeria - will actively participate in the overall operation of the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage for one year, including the hosting of the 11th session of the Intergovernmental Committee, and the use of the fund for the safeguarding of the intangible cultural heritage.

2. The ROK’s election as Vice Chair, which came right after President Park Geun-hye’s visit to UNESCO, shows that member countries of UNESCO have acknowledged the ROK’s willingness to strengthen its contribution to UNESCO, as well as the ROK’s status as a leading country in the field of intangible heritage.

o The ROK was elected as the Rapporteur of the World Heritage Committee at the Committee’s 39th session in July, and has been working as a member of the Bureau of the World Heritage Committee. With the ROK’s latest election as Vice Chair of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, the ROK will work for the Bureaus handling the two key UNESCO Conventions.

3. The ROK will continue to make efforts to strengthen its status as a leading country in the field of UNESCO heritage, including by actively participating in related discussions, such as the Intergovernmental Committee for the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, the General Assembly of the States Parties to the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, and the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, whose meetings will take place next year.


*unofficial translation