The UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding recognises practices facing a serious risk of disappearance.
Country
Element
Description
Pakistan
Boreendo, Bhorindo
An ancient folk musical instrument (a hollow, spherical clay instrument with sound holes) and the associated melodies, knowledge, and skills, rooted in village life of the Thari community.
Viet Nam
Craft of making Đông Hồ Folk woodblock printings
A craft known for colourful prints of daily life, history, and worship, made using carved wooden blocks, natural pigments, and special paper coated with scallop powder.
Panama
Construction processes of the quincha house and the junta de embarre / embarra
The traditional building practice of constructing mud/clay houses (quincha houses) using a mix of clay soil, hay, natural fibers, and wood.
Paraguay
Ñai’ũpo art, ancestral ceramic craftsmanship
The traditional art of pottery-making.
Philippines
The practice of making Asin Tibuok, the artisanal sea salt of the Boholano of Bohol Island
A labor-intensive practice of making artisanal sea salt.
Belarus
Negliubka textile tradition of Vetka District Gomel Region
A specific traditional textile practice.
Uzbekistan
Art of crafting and playing Kobyz
The skill of making and playing this two-stringed bowed instrument.
🏛️ History of UNESCO
Aspect
Detail
Full Name
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
Motto/Preamble
“Since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defences of peace must be constructed.”
Founding
November 16, 1945, following a conference in London. Officially formed in 1946.
Predecessor
The League of Nations’ International Committee on Intellectual Cooperation.
Core Mission
To advance peace and human rights by promoting international cooperation in education, the sciences, culture, communication, and information.
Key Conventions
1972: World Heritage Convention (for Tangible Sites). 2003: Intangible Cultural Heritage Convention (for living traditions).
🇮🇳 UNESCO Fun Facts Related to India
Founding Member: India has been a member of UNESCO since its inception in 1946.
Recent Hosting: India hosted the 20th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) from December 8-13, 2025, at the Red Fort in New Delhi—the first time India has hosted this prestigious panel.
New Inscription (2025): The festival of Deepavali was inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity at this session, becoming the 16th Indian element on the list (joining Garba, Durga Puja, Yoga, etc.).
The First Four World Heritage Sites (1983): Ajanta Caves, Ellora Caves, Agra Fort, and the Taj Mahal.
Kalinga Prize: The Kalinga Prize for the Popularisation of Science is an international UNESCO award established in 1951 with a donation from Indian industrialist Biju Patnaik.
