The purposes of this Convention are:

(a)

Safeguarding intangible cultural heritage;

(b)

Respect for the intangible cultural heritage of the communities, groups and individuals concerned;

(c)

Raising awareness at local, national and international levels of the importance of intangible cultural heritage and its mutual appreciation;

(d)

International cooperation and assistance.

For the purposes of this Convention,

"Intangible cultural heritage" means the practices, representations, expressions, knowledge and know-how-as well as the instruments, objects, artifacts and cultural spaces associated with them-that communities, groups and, Where appropriate, individuals recognize as part of their cultural heritage. This intangible cultural heritage, passed down from generation to generation, is constantly recreated by communities and groups according to their environment, their interaction with nature and their history, and gives them a sense of identity And continuity, thus helping to promote respect for cultural diversity and human creativity. For the purposes of this Convention, only consideration shall be given to intangible cultural heritage in conformity with existing international human rights instruments, as well as to the requirement of mutual respect between communities, groups and And sustainable development.

2. "Intangible cultural heritage" as defined in s. 1 above, manifests itself in particular in the following areas:

(a)

Oral traditions and expressions, including language as a vector of intangible cultural heritage;

(b)

Performing arts;

(c)

Social practices, rituals and festive events;

(d)

Knowledge and practice about nature and universalization;

(e)

Know-how related to traditional crafts.

3. "Safeguard" means measures to ensure the viability of intangible cultural heritage, including identification, documentation, research, preservation, protection, promotion, presentation, transmission, Mainly through formal and non-formal education, as well as the revitalisation of different aspects of this heritage.

"States Parties" means those States which are bound by this Convention and between which this Convention is in force.

5. This Convention shall apply Mutatis mutandis To the territories referred to in Art. 33 which shall become Parties, in accordance with the conditions specified in this Article. To that extent, the term "States Parties" also refers to those territories.

Nothing in this Convention shall be construed as:

(a)

Altering the status or diminishing the level of protection of declared world heritage assets under the 1972 Convention for the Protection of the World Heritage, Cultural and Natural Heritage, to which an element of intangible cultural heritage Is directly associated; or

(b)

Affecting the rights and obligations of States Parties arising out of any international instrument relating to the intellectual property rights or the use of the biological and ecological resources to which they are parties.

1. The General Assembly of the States Parties shall be established, hereinafter referred to as "the General Assembly". The General Assembly shall be the sovereign body of this Convention.

2. The General Assembly shall meet in ordinary session every two years. It may meet in extraordinary session if it so decides or requests it from the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage or by at least one third of the States Parties.

The General Assembly shall adopt its rules of procedure.

1. It is hereby established with UNESCO an Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, hereinafter referred to as "the Committee". It shall be composed of representatives of 18 States Parties, elected by the States Parties meeting in the General Assembly as soon as this Convention enters into force in accordance with Art. 34.

2. The number of member States of the Committee will be increased to 24 as the number of States Parties to the Convention reaches 50.

The election of the member States of the Committee shall meet the principles of equitable geographical distribution and rotation.

2. The member States of the Committee shall be elected for a term of four years by the States Parties to the Convention gathered in the General Assembly.

3. However, the term of office of half of the member States of the Committee elected in the first election shall be limited to two years. These states are designated by a draw in this first election.

4. Every two years, the General Assembly shall renew half of the member States of the Committee.

5. It also elects as many member States of the Committee as is necessary to fill vacancies.

6. A member state of the Committee may not be elected for two consecutive terms.

7. The member States of the Committee shall select to represent qualified persons in the various fields of intangible cultural heritage.

Without prejudice to the other powers conferred upon it by this Convention, the functions of the Committee shall be as follows:

(a)

Promote the objectives of the Convention, encourage and monitor its implementation;

(b)

Provide advice on best practices and make recommendations on measures to safeguard intangible cultural heritage;

(c)

Prepare and submit to the General Assembly for approval a project for the use of the resources of the Fund, in accordance with art. 25;

(d)

Seek ways to increase resources and take appropriate action in accordance with art. 25;

(e)

Prepare and submit to the approval of the General Assembly operational guidelines for the implementation of the Convention;

(f)

Examine, in accordance with s. 29, the reports of the States Parties, and shall make a summary thereof to the General Assembly;

(g)

Review the requests submitted by the States Parties and decide, in accordance with the objective criteria for selection established by the General Assembly and approved by the General Assembly:

(i)

Entries on the lists and proposals referred to in s. 16, 17 and 18,

(ii)

The granting of international assistance in accordance with Art. 22.

The Committee shall be responsible to the General Assembly. It reports to the Commission on all its activities and decisions.

2. The Committee shall adopt its rules of procedure by a two-thirds majority of its members.

The Committee may temporarily establish advisory bodies Ad hoc That he or she considers necessary to perform the task.

4. The Committee may invite to its meetings any public or private body, as well as any natural person, with proven expertise in the various fields of intangible cultural heritage, to consult them on any matter Special.

The Committee proposes to the General Assembly the accreditation of non-governmental organizations with proven expertise in the field of intangible cultural heritage. These organizations will have advisory functions to the Committee.

2. The Committee shall also propose to the General Assembly the criteria and modalities for such accreditation.

The Committee is assisted by the UNESCO Secretariat.

2. The Secretariat shall prepare the documentation of the General Assembly and the Committee, as well as the draft agenda of their meetings and ensure the execution of their decisions.

It is for each State Party to:

(a)

Take the necessary measures to ensure the safeguarding of the intangible cultural heritage present on its territory;

(b)

Of the safeguard measures referred to in Art. 2, para. 3, to identify and define the various elements of the intangible cultural heritage present in its territory, with the participation of the relevant communities, groups and non-governmental organisations.

1. In order to ensure the identification with a view to the safeguard, each State Party shall, in an appropriate manner, draw up one or more inventories of the intangible cultural heritage present on its territory. These inventories are regularly updated.

(2) Each State Party shall periodically submit its report to the Committee in accordance with art. 29, provides relevant information on these inventories.

With a view to ensuring the safeguarding, development and presentation of intangible cultural heritage on its territory, each State Party shall endeavour to:

(a)

To adopt a general policy to highlight the function of intangible cultural heritage in society and to integrate the preservation of this heritage into planning programmes;

(b)

Designate or establish one or more competent bodies for the safeguarding of the intangible cultural heritage present on its territory;

(c)

Encourage scientific, technical and artistic studies and research methodologies for the effective safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage, in particular intangible cultural heritage in danger;

(d)

To adopt appropriate legal, technical, administrative and financial measures to:

(i)

To promote the creation or strengthening of training institutions for the management of intangible cultural heritage and the transmission of this heritage through forums and spaces for its representation and expression,

(ii)

Ensuring access to intangible cultural heritage while respecting customary practices which govern access to specific aspects of this heritage,

(iii)

Establish and facilitate access to documentation institutions on intangible cultural heritage.

Each State Party shall endeavour, by all appropriate means:

(a)

To ensure the recognition, respect and presentation of intangible cultural heritage in society, in particular by:

(i)

Educational programmes, awareness-raising and dissemination of information to the public, including young people,

(ii)

Specific education and training programmes within the communities and groups concerned,

(iii)

Capacity-building activities for the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage, in particular scientific management and research, and

(iv)

Non-formal means of transmitting knowledge;

(b)

To keep the public informed of the threats to this heritage and the activities carried out under this Convention;

(c)

Promote education for the protection of natural spaces and places of memory that are necessary for the expression of intangible cultural heritage.

Within the framework of its activities for safeguarding intangible cultural heritage, each State Party shall endeavour to ensure the widest possible participation of the communities, groups and, where appropriate, the individuals who create, maintain and Communicate this heritage and actively involve them in its management.

1. To ensure greater visibility of intangible cultural heritage, increase awareness of its importance and promote dialogue in the respect of cultural diversity, the Committee, on the proposal of the States Parties concerned, Establishes, maintains and publishes a representative list of the intangible cultural heritage of humanity.

2. The Committee shall draw up and submit to the approval of the General Assembly the criteria for the establishment, updating and publication of this representative list.

With a view to taking the appropriate safeguard measures, the Committee draws up, maintains and publishes a List of Intangible Cultural Heritage requiring urgent safeguard, and registers this heritage on the List at the request of the State Party Concerned.

2. The Committee shall prepare and submit to the approval of the General Assembly the criteria for the establishment, updating and publication of the List.

3. In cases of extreme urgency-the objective criteria for which are approved by the General Assembly on a proposal from the Committee-it may include an element of the heritage concerned on the List referred to in subs. 1 in consultation with the State Party concerned.

1. On the basis of the proposals submitted by the States Parties, and in accordance with the criteria which it defines and which are approved by the General Assembly, the Committee shall periodically select and promote programmes, projects and activities of National, sub-regional or regional heritage preservation character which it considers to be in the best interest of the principles and objectives of this Convention, taking into account the particular needs of developing countries.

To this end, it shall receive, consider and approve requests for international assistance from the States Parties for the preparation of these proposals.

The Committee shall accompany the implementation of such programmes, projects and activities through the dissemination of best practices in accordance with the terms and conditions laid down by the Committee.

For the purposes of this Convention, international cooperation shall include in particular the exchange of information and experience, joint initiatives and the establishment of a mechanism for assistance to States parties in their efforts To safeguard intangible cultural heritage.

(2) Without prejudice to the provisions of their national legislation and customary laws and practices, States Parties recognize that the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage is in the general interest of humanity and is committed to this To cooperate at the bilateral, subregional, regional and international levels.

International assistance may be granted for the following purposes:

(a)

The safeguarding of the heritage listed on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage requiring urgent protection;

(b)

Preparation of inventories within the meaning of s. 11 and 12;

(c)

Support for programmes, projects and activities at the national, sub-regional and regional levels aimed at safeguarding intangible cultural heritage;

(d)

Any other objectives that the Committee would consider necessary.

The assistance granted by the Committee to a State Party shall be regulated by the operational guidelines laid down in Art. 7 and by the agreement referred to in s. 24, and can take the following forms:

(a)

Studies on the various aspects of the safeguard;

(b)

Provision of experts and practitioners;

(c)

Training of all necessary personnel;

(d)

The development of normative or other measures;

(e)

Development and operation of infrastructure;

(f)

Provision of equipment and expertise;

(g)

Other forms of financial and technical assistance, including, where appropriate, the granting of low-interest loans and grants.

The Committee shall establish the procedure for the examination of requests for international assistance and shall specify the elements of the application, such as the measures envisaged, the necessary interventions and the assessment of their costs.

2. In the event of an emergency, the request for assistance shall be considered first by the Committee.

3. In order to make a decision, the Committee shall conduct such studies and consultations as it deems necessary.

Each State Party may submit to the Committee an application for international assistance for the safeguarding of the intangible cultural heritage present on its territory.

2. Such a request may also be made jointly by two or more States Parties.

3. The application must contain the information contained in s. 22, para. 1, and the necessary documents.

1. In accordance with the provisions of this Convention, the assigned international assistance shall be governed by an agreement between the beneficiary State and the Committee.

2. As a general rule, the beneficiary State Party shall participate, to the extent of its resources, in the cost of the safeguard measures for which international assistance is provided.

The beneficiary State Party shall submit to the Committee a report on the use of the assistance granted to safeguard the intangible cultural heritage.

1. A "Fund for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage" is hereby established, hereinafter referred to as "the Fund".

2. The Fund shall be made up of funds-in-deposit in accordance with the provisions of the Financial Regulations of UNESCO.

3. The resources of the Fund shall consist of:

(a)

Contributions by States Parties;

(b)

The funds allocated for this purpose by the General Conference of UNESCO;

(c)

Any payments, gifts or bequests that may be made by:

(i)

Other States,

(ii)

Organizations and programmes of the United Nations system, including the United Nations Development Programme, and other international organizations,

(iii)

Public or private bodies or private persons;

(d)

Any interest in the Fund's resources;

(e)

The proceeds of the collections and the proceeds of events organised for the benefit of the Fund;

(f)

Any other resources authorized by the Settlement of the Fund that the Committee develops.

4. The use of resources by the Committee is decided on the basis of the guidelines of the General Assembly.

The Committee may accept contributions and other forms of assistance provided for general or specific purposes relating to specific projects, provided that such projects are approved by the Committee.

6. Contributions to the Fund shall not be subject to any political, economic or other conditions which are incompatible with the objectives sought by this Convention.

Without prejudice to any additional voluntary contributions, the States Parties to this Convention undertake to contribute, at least every two years, to the Fund, the amount of which shall be calculated according to a uniform percentage applicable to the All States will be decided by the General Assembly. This decision of the General Assembly shall be taken by a majority of the States Parties present and voting who have not made the declaration referred to in paragraph 1. 2 of this article. Under no circumstances will this contribution exceed 1 % of the State party's contribution to the regular budget of UNESCO.

2. However, any State referred to in Art. 32 or art. 33 of this Convention may, at the time of deposit of its instruments of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession, declare that it will not be bound by the provisions of s. 1 of this article.

(3) A State Party to this Convention having made the declaration referred to in para. 2 of this Article shall endeavour to withdraw the said declaration upon notification to the Director-General of UNESCO. However, the withdrawal of the declaration will not affect the contribution due by that State until the date of the opening of the next session of the General Assembly.

4. In order for the Committee to be able to provide for its operations in an efficient manner, the contributions of the States Parties to this Convention that have made the declaration referred to in para. 2 of this Article shall be paid on a regular basis, at least every two years, and should be as close as possible to the contributions that they should have paid had they been bound by the provisions of s. 1 of this article.

5. Any State Party to this Convention, in arrears in the payment of its compulsory or voluntary contribution in respect of the current year and the calendar year immediately preceding it, shall not be eligible for the Committee. Not applicable in the first election. The term of office of such a State which is already a member of the Committee shall terminate at the time of any election under Art. 6 of this Convention.

States Parties wishing to make voluntary contributions in addition to those provided for in Art. 26 shall inform the Committee as soon as possible in order to enable it to plan its activities accordingly.

States Parties shall, to the extent possible, assist them in international collection campaigns organized for the benefit of the Fund under the auspices of UNESCO.

The States Parties shall submit to the Committee, in the forms and at intervals prescribed by the Committee, reports on the legislative, regulatory or other provisions adopted for the implementation of this Convention.

1. On the basis of its activities and the reports of the States Parties referred to in Art. 29, the Committee submits a report to each session of the General Assembly.

2. This report is brought to the attention of the UNESCO General Conference.

The Committee shall include in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity the elements proclaimed "Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity" before the entry into force of this Convention.

2. The inclusion of these elements in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity shall in no way prejudge the criteria laid down in accordance with Art. 16, para. 2, for future registrations.

3. No further Proclamation shall be made after the entry into force of this Convention.

1. This Convention shall be subject to the ratification, acceptance or approval of the member States of UNESCO in accordance with their respective constitutional procedures.

2. Instruments of ratification, acceptance or approval shall be deposited with the Director-General of UNESCO.

1. This Convention shall be open for accession by any non-member State of UNESCO invited to accede to it by the General Conference of the Organization.

2. This Convention shall also be open to the accession of territories which enjoy complete internal autonomy, recognized as such by the United Nations, but which have not attained full independence in accordance with the provisions of the Convention. Resolution 1514 (XV) of the General Assembly and which have jurisdiction over matters dealt with in this Convention, including the recognized competence to conclude treaties on such matters.

The instrument of accession shall be deposited with the Director-General of UNESCO.

This Convention shall enter into force three months after the date of deposit of the thirtieth instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession, but only with respect to those States which have deposited their respective instruments of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession. Ratification, acceptance, approval or accession on or before that date. It shall enter into force for any other State Party three months after the deposit of its instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession.

The following provisions apply to States Parties with a federal or non-unitary constitutional system:

(a)

With respect to the provisions of this Convention whose application falls within the competence of the federal or central legislative authority, the obligations of the federal or central government shall be the same as those of the States Parties which are not Not of the federal states;

(b)

With regard to the provisions of this Convention, the application of which falls within the competence of each of the constituent states, countries, provinces or cantons, which are not under the constitutional regime of the federation required to take The Federal Government will, with its favourable opinion, bring these provisions to the attention of the competent authorities of the states, countries, provinces or cantons for adoption.

(1) Each State Party shall have the right to denounce this Convention.

2. The denunciation shall be notified by a written instrument deposited with the Director-General of UNESCO.

3. Denunciation shall take effect twelve months after receipt of the instrument of denunciation. It shall not in any way affect the financial obligations which the State Party State Party is required to fulfil until the date on which the withdrawal takes effect.

The Director-General of UNESCO, in his capacity as depositary of this Convention, shall inform the member States of the Organization, the non-member States referred to in Art. 33, as well as the United Nations, for the deposit of all instruments of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession referred to in s. 32 and 33, as well as disclosures under s. 36.

1. Any State Party may, by written communication addressed to the Director General, propose amendments to this Convention. The Director General shall transmit this communication to all States Parties. If, within six months after the date of transmission of the communication, at least half of the States Parties shall give a favourable response to that request, the Director General shall submit the proposal to the next session of the General Assembly For discussion and possible adoption.

2. The amendments shall be adopted by a two-thirds majority of the States Parties present and voting.

3. The amendments to this Convention, once adopted, shall be submitted to the States Parties for ratification, acceptance, approval or accession.

4. For States Parties which have ratified, accepted, approved or acceded to them, the amendments to this Convention shall enter into force three months after the deposit of the instruments referred to in subs. 3 of this Article by two thirds of the States Parties. Thereafter, for each State Party ratifying, accepting, approving or acceding to an amendment, this amendment shall enter into force three months after the date of deposit by the State Party of its instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or Membership.

5. The procedure established by s. 3 and 4 does not apply to amendments to s. 5 on the number of member States of the Committee. These amendments come into force at the time of their adoption.

(6) A State which becomes a party to this Convention after the entry into force of amendments in accordance with s. 4 of this Article is, in the absence of having expressed a different intention, considered to be:

(a)

Party to this Convention as amended; and

(b)

Party to this Convention not amended in respect of any State Party which is not bound by those amendments.

This Convention shall be established in English, Arabic, Chinese, Spanish, French and Russian, all six texts being equally authentic.

In accordance with Art. 102 of the United Nations Charter ¹ , this Convention shall be registered with the Secretariat of the United Nations at the request of the Director General of UNESCO.