In 2018, CRIHAP organized eight training workshops in Kyrgyzstan, Vanuatu, Thailand, Kazakhstan, Republic of Korea, China, Bangladesh and Pakistan. So far, the centre has put on training workshops in 16 countries with 32 beneficiary countries and nearly 1,200 direct beneficiaries, covering five sub-regions of the Asia-Pacific.

After hearing the work report, members of the Governing Board said that CRIHAP’s work and achievements were encouraging and exciting.

Ms. Li Yaying stressed that since its establishment in 2012, CRIHAP has built a comprehensive, scientific and rational operational mechanism in accordance with the spirit of the 2003 Convention and the requirements of its capacity-building strategy. At the same time, CRIHAP has focused on strengthening contacts and cooperation with UNESCO, its member countries in the Asia-Pacific and the Category 2 centers in Japan and Korea, actively carrying out capacity-building training activities and providing intellectual support and technical assistance on safeguarding intangible cultural heritage for countries of the Asia-Pacific, which have greatly promoted the development of such actions at the national and regional levels. It has realized the linkage effect of UNESCO global strategy of capacity building for safeguarding intangible cultural heritage.

Mr. Wang Chenyang, Deputy Director General of the Intangible Cultural Heritage Department under the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, praised CRIHAP for its professionalism and leadership in facilitator training. In view of the great demand for training of trainers under the Convention, he hoped that CRIHAP would continue carrying out such training on Convention knowledge.

Mr. Zhou Jiagui, Deputy Secretary-General of the China National Commission for UNESCO, said it was impressive that CRIHAP could take training as its main business and actively engage with ICHCAP and IRCI. He said he looks forward to continuing the cooperation with relevant institutions on ICH issues common to the Asia-Pacific region and even to the world.

Ms. Himalchuli Gurung, representative of the Director-General of UNESCO and programme specialist for culture of the UNESCO Office in Beijing, said that through positive feedbacks to CRIHAP from UNESCO headquarters and regional offices, we can see the dedication of CRIHAP’s staff and the outstanding achievements of its work. Themed training workshops and training of trainers’ workshops organized by the centre are commendable.

Mr. Wang Fuzhou, Vice President of the Chinese National Academy of Arts and Deputy Director-General of China National Centre for Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage, said that CRIHAP has an outstanding performance in the selection of facilitators, training contents and communication channels, and the funds are also used properly. CRIHAP’s work ability and experience are worthy of recognition.

Mr. Kim Dongdae, Director of the World Heritage Team under the Cultural Heritage Administration of the Republic of Korea, stressed the importance of combining education with intangible cultural heritage in the inheritance of ICH. He said he looked forward to more cooperation between CRIHAP, ICHCAP and IRCI in this field.