Moroccohas generously proposed to host the upcoming session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, from28 November to 3 December 2022inRabat. The Bureau of the Committee approved this offer with enthusiasm inJune.

H.E.Mr Samir Addahrewas elected as the Chairperson of the seventeenth session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, withSwitzerland, Czechia, Panama, Republic of Korea and Botswanaas vice-chairpersons and Mr Ramiro Maurice Silva Rivera fromPeruas the rapporteur.

Morocco has played an active role for the adoption of the 2003 Convention, even before its ratification as it was actively engaged in the drafting of the Convention prior to its endorsement. Morocco has twelve inscribed elements on the Lists of the 2003 Convention, the first being ‘Cultural space of Jemaa el-Fna Square’ inscribed in 2008 on the Representative List. Amongst those twelve elements, Morocco is part of three multinational files that include a high number of countries in the region: Date palm, knowledge, skills, traditions and practices’, ‘Arabic calligraphy: knowledge, skills and practices’ and ‘Knowledge, know-how and practices pertaining to the production and consumption of couscous’.

UNESCO thanks Morocco for offering to host the Committee, allowing the ICH community to meet altogether in Rabatnext Novemberafter two consecutive years of online modalities.