The sixteenth session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage will be held fully online from 13 to 18 December 2021.
Mr Punchi Nilame Meegaswatte, Secretary-General - Sri Lanka National Commission for UNESCO, will Chair this annual gathering which brings together nearly eight hundred of participants – representatives of States Parties, non-governmental organizations, cultural institutions and other stakeholders – from across the globe.
During this session, Sri Lanka has been given special attention as the proposed host country.
It was to be held in Colombo but due to the ongoing pandemic situation it had to be conducted fully online.
However, the Opening Ceremony was organized at the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris. Lighting of the traditional oil lamp, with the music, dancing and drumbeats symbolized the majesty of Sri Lankan culture at the opening ceremony.
Deputy Director of UNESCO Mr Xing Qu addressed on behalf of the UNESCO and on behalf of the Government of Sri Lanka, Prof. Kshanika Hirimburegama, Ambassador and Permanent Delegate of Sri Lanka to UNESCO welcomed the participants including Hon Ministers, dignitaries of state parties including non-member states parties, Experts, and the NGOs from around.