Malaysia Secures UNESCO's IGC-ICH Seat For 2022-2026 Session

PUTRAJAYA (Malaysia), July 8 (Bernama) -- For the first time, Malaysia has secured a seat as a member of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (IGC-ICH) of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) for the 2022-2026 session. Malaysia through the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) won the seat for the Asia Pacific group after garnering 110 votes or 83 per cent from the total 132 votes. The results were announced by UNESCO Assistant Director for Culture Ernesto Ottone R during the ninth session of the General Assembly of the Convention for the Safeguarding the Intangible Cultural Heritage held at UNESCO, Paris, Thursday. MOTAC secretary-general Saraya Arbi led the Malaysian delegation to the session. “This is a very proud achievement for us as it recognises Malaysia’s expertise and capabilities to determine the direction in safeguarding the intangible cultural heritage through the committee,” MOTAC said in a statement Friday. MOTAC said the success in taking the seat was Malaysia’s great achievement at the international level since the ratification of the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage on July 23, 2013. Among the core functions of IGC ICH member states are to provide guidance on best practices and make recommendations on measures for the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage, and examine proposals for programmes, activities and international assistance. MOTAC said to date, six intangible cultural heritage elements in Malaysia have been listed under the Convention, namely Mak Yong (2005), Dondang Sayang (2018), Silat (2019), Upacara Wangkang (2020), Pantun (2020) and Songket (2021). “Malaysia’s presence in global platforms, especially UNESCO, can help enhance the country’s identity and visibility in its efforts to preserve valuable cultural heritage for our future generation to inherit,” MOTAC said. -- BERNAMA