On December 18, 2021, the 16th session of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage completed its work at the UNESCO headquarters (Paris, France).

During the meeting of the Committee, elections were held to the Evaluation Body of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. As a result of the vote, among the three countries of the Asia-Pacific Group – China, Indonesia and Kyrgyzstan – candidates for this elected body, Kyrgyzstan, which was represented by Aigine Cultural Research Center, an NGO accredited under the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage 2003, received the largest number of votes from the Committee members and elected to the Evaluation Body of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage for a 4-year term.

The evaluation body of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of UNESCO consists of 12 members, who consider and make a preliminary decision on all nominations that are submitted for consideration for inclusion in the UNESCO Lists of Intangible Cultural Heritage.

The Permanent Delegation of the Kyrgyz Republic to UNESCO, the National Commission of the Kyrgyz Republic for UNESCO and Aigine CRC carried out significant work in order to be elected to the Evaluation Body, which is one of the most important in the activities of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage. The election of Kyrgyzstan to this body will contribute to strengthening the country’s image in the international arena, as well as promoting the country’s interests in the field of intangible cultural heritage.