'Protecting Intangible Cultural Heritage, Together with the World'... UNESCO Adopts 'Seoul Vision'

UNESCO International Conference Closes on the 26th
'Seoul Vision' Adopted

On the 20th anniversary of the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, the "Seoul Vision" was adopted at an international conference held on the 25th and 26th at the Westin Chosun Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul. It outlines directions for cooperation in safeguarding intangible cultural heritage to promote sustainable development and peace in areas such as ▲sustainable living ▲nature ▲quality education ▲digital environment. Future cooperation will focus on ways to improve biodiversity loss, relationships with nature, economic development in developing countries, and the lives of urban residents through intangible cultural heritage. The conference was attended by over 300 experts including Park Jin, Minister of Foreign Affairs; Choi Eung-cheon, Administrator of the Cultural Heritage Administration; Qiu Xing, UNESCO Deputy Director-General; Ban Ki-moon, former UN Secretary-General; Yoo In-chon, Special Presidential Advisor on Culture and Sports; as well as representatives of the States Parties to the Convention, experts, and NGOs.

At the international conference commemorating the 20th anniversary of the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage held on the 26th at The Westin Chosun Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul, Ernesto Ottone Ramirez, UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Culture (left), and Park Sang-mi, Ambassador of the Permanent Delegation of the Republic of Korea to UNESCO (right), are explaining the 'Seoul Vision.'
[Photo by Cultural Heritage Administration]

At the closing ceremony, Qiu Xing, UNESCO Deputy Director-General, stated that "intangible cultural heritage is not only an important asset of humanity but also a source of hope for the future," and expressed hope to strengthen cooperation with Korea, a leading country in safeguarding intangible cultural heritage with various listings such as Talchum (mask dance), Kimjang culture, and Arirang.

Kim Ji-sung, Secretary-General of the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Intangible Cultural Heritage Center, said, "The Seoul Vision, which consolidates diverse opinions, will serve as a key principle and action guideline for protecting living intangible cultural heritage and will act as a roadmap going forward."

The "Seoul Vision" is scheduled to be officially reported as part of the 20th anniversary activities of the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage at the 18th Intergovernmental Committee meeting to be held in Botswana this December.

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