Today, December 12, during the 20th session of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, held in New Delhi, India, Ukraine was elected from the Second Regional Electoral Group as Vice-Chair of the Bureau of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage for the next session, scheduled for November 30 - December 5, 2026 in Xiamen, People's Republic of China.

Ukraine's election to one of the leading positions in the Bureau of the Committee is evidence of the high level of trust on the part of the States Parties to the 2003 UNESCO Convention and recognition of its significant contribution to the development and strengthening of the international system for the safeguarding of the intangible cultural heritage.

This decision is an important step in strengthening Ukraine's position in the international cultural arena and confirms our consistent, active and responsible position in promoting the values of the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, protecting living heritage and improving the procedures for its implementation, even in the context of full-scale armed aggression by the Russian Federation against Ukraine.

Ukraine will remain committed to the principles of international cooperation, inclusiveness and solidarity, and will continue to actively promote the preservation of intangible cultural heritage as an important factor in cultural identity, community resilience and intercultural dialogue.