The International Center for Capacity Building in the field of intangible cultural heritage in Arab countries participates in a coordination meeting at UNESCO

2026/06/19 9:48:57 PM

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Sharjah, 19 June / WAM / The International Center for Capacity Building in the Field of Intangible Cultural Heritage in the Arab Countries in the Emirate of Sharjah (ICCBICH) participated virtually in the work of the fourteenth annual coordination meeting of the second category centers active in the field of intangible cultural heritage, which was held today at the headquarters of UNESCO in the French capital, Paris, and came directly after the conclusion of the work of the eleventh session of the General Assembly of States Parties to the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage.

The Centre’s participation in this special coordination meeting comes within the framework of its ongoing efforts to enhance international cooperation and ensure the alignment of its plans and programs with UNESCO’s priorities and budget, thus contributing to supporting the implementation of the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage and achieving its strategic objectives.

In its main outcomes, the meeting focused on the mechanisms of transition and transformation towards a “unified global submission system” for preparing periodic reports under the 2003 agreement, in addition to examining ways to coordinate joint cooperation for the upcoming sessions.

The meeting formed a prominent platform for exchanging information and experiences between international centers on how to support countries and local communities in building their capacities to prepare these regional reports.

In the context of its effective contribution and in line with these outcomes, the International Center in Sharjah reviewed its upcoming program dedicated to building the capabilities of “national focal points” in Arab countries, which directly aims to enhance the efficiency of national cadres in preparing regional periodic reports in accordance with the unified global submission system and updated directives.

During the meeting, the Center presented a comprehensive presentation of its planned training programs and initiatives, which focus on enhancing the skills of preserving intangible cultural heritage and developing the technical and research competencies of specialists and workers in this field in the Arab region, stressing its full commitment to strengthening capacity-building programs at the regional and international levels.