UNESCO: Monaco Takes Part in the General Assembly of the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage

On 17 and 18 June 2026, Monaco took part in the 11th session of the General Assembly of the States Parties to the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. Led by H.E. Ms Anne-Marie Boisbouvier, Ambassador and Permanent Delegate of the Principality of Monaco to UNESCO, the Monegasque delegation comprised Ms Célia Bernasconi, Director of the Heritage Institute, Ms Séverine Dusaintpère, Deputy Permanent Delegate, and Eden Mathis, intern. 

Adopted in 2003 and now bringing together 185 States Parties, the Convention aims to safeguard and transmit living heritage*, "considering the importance of the intangible cultural heritage as a mainspring of cultural diversity and a guarantee of sustainable development", as well as "the need to build greater awareness, especially among the younger generations, of the importance of the intangible cultural heritage and of its safeguarding."

During the session, Ms Dusaintpère welcomed the work of the Secretariat in promoting and implementing the Convention, strengthening capacities, and integrating intangible cultural heritage into both formal and non-formal education. 

She recalled Monaco's commitment, as a State Party since 2007, to achieving the objectives of the Convention, notably through its contribution to the Fund for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage.

She also highlighted the work currently being carried out by the Principality to identify, document and inventory its intangible cultural heritage, with a view to gaining a better understanding of, safeguarding and transmitting the practices and know-how that form part of its cultural identity, while contributing to the world's cultural diversity, which the Convention seeks to promote.
 

*Intangible cultural heritage, or "living heritage", refers to the practices, representations, expressions, knowledge and skills inherited from our ancestors and passed on to future generations. It includes, in particular, oral traditions, performing arts, social practices, rituals and festive events, knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe, as well as the knowledge and skills required for traditional craftsmanship.