With the theme on Safeguarding Traditional Craftsmanship in the Spirit of the Convention, Himalchuli Gurung, programme specialist for Culture, UNESCO Beijing Office; Wang Chenyang, deputy director of the Department of Intangible Cultural Heritage, China’s Ministry of Culture; Mounir Bouchenaki; Lyu Pintian, vice president and researcher from CNAA delivered keynote speeches on safeguarding the ICH. In addition, Zhu Legeng, director and researcher of literature and art creation school of CNAA gave a keynote speech on Transmission of Traditional Craftsmanship in the Context of Modern Society, and Jin Jiangbo, associate professor of Shanghai University and executive director of the Public Art Coordination Centre of Shanghai gave a speech on Capacity Building and Sustainable Development of Traditional Craftsmanship.

Six representatives of ICH elements from China, Japan, South Korea, Kyrgyzstan, India and Bangladesh discussed effective transmission and sustainable development of traditional craftsmanship.

Wang Xuexian, chairperson of CRIHAP’s Advisory Committee, first Chinese ambassador to South Africa and former deputy representative of China to the United Nations led the panel discussion on Transmission of Traditional Craftsmanship in the Context of Modern Society. And Noriko Aikawa chaired the panel discussion on Capacity Building and Sustainable Development of Traditional Craftsmanship.