On 17 October 2003, in Paris, the UNESCO General Conference adopts the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, recognising and protecting oral traditions, performing arts, social practices and crafts.

The Convention creates the Representative and Urgent Safeguarding Lists, a Fund and an Intergovernmental Committee. It complements the 1972 World Heritage Convention focused on tangible assets.

It was opened for signature/ratification after adoption; it entered into force on 20 April 2006. Today it has over 180 States Parties.

The official text is on unesco.org.

For cultural heritage, 17 October 2003 marks the Paris adoption.

The document is available on unesco.org.

The Convention of 17 October 2003 remains the milestone of safeguarding intangible heritage.

Image: Paris / UNESCO; Wikimedia Commons. Cropped to 16:9.

Source consulted: Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. Treaty text: UNESCO — Intangible Cultural Heritage Convention.