Participants of the Preparatory Committee Meeting © ICHCAP

On 23 June 2021, UNESCO-ICHCAP and its collaborative partners IICAS and the KF Korea-Central Asia Cooperation Forum Secretariat held the third preparatory committee meeting for the Silk Roads Living Heritage Networking Program. As a follow-up to the second meeting held on 26 May 2021, the preparatory committee examined amendments to the network governance and membership as well as benefits from membership in the network. The requirements for submitting video and photo materials were also discussed to adhere more closely with the requirements of the ichLinks platform, to promote living heritage along the Silk Roads and the network itself.

Members of the committee discussed preliminary details of the inauguration event of the Silk Roads Living Heritage Network to be held during the KF Public Diplomacy Week in Seoul from 28 to 30 October 2021. Along with the launching ceremony, expert meeting, coordination bureau meeting and virtual exhibition are subject to be considered as for the programs. It, however, depends under the certain conditions regarding the COVID-19 situation.

According to the approved schedule, the fourth meeting of the preparatory committee will be held on 25 August 2021 and will cover strategy to effectively promote the inaugural events and practical matters related to the legal issues of the submission and utilization of promotional materials on ichLinks. Among other topics, the preparatory committee will discuss the possible extension and elaboration of the partnership and membership eligibility to encourage more application to the network vertically and horizontally, open to States Party and non-States Party in the fields of both tangible and intangible heritage along the Silk Roads.