The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has commended Government of Nepal for its commitment to safeguard its living heritage.

In its statement issued on Tuesday, the UNESCO has congratulated Nepal for its newly acquired status as the 125th State Party to the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage.
“This is a great step, as it demonstrates the Government’s commitment, to preserve and promote the diverse living heritage of the people of Nepal, where cultural heritage is largely cultural practice, and where cultural practice means cultural identity”, said Axel Plathe, Head of the UNESCO Office in Kathmandu and UNESCO Representative to Nepal, in the statement.

The main purposes of the Convention that was adopted by UNESCO’s Member States in 2003 are to safeguard intangible cultural heritage, to ensure respect for it, to raise awareness about its importance and of mutual appreciation and to provide for international cooperation and assistance in these fields.

"By ratifying the Convention, the Government of Nepal commits itself at the international level to safeguard the rich and diverse living heritage of the country." stated the release.

After Algeria became the first signatory country to the Convention six years back, an ever growing number of Member States have adhered to the Convention, almost two-third of the countries of the world and Nepal now becomes the 125th State Party to this Convention after Botswana and before Guinea Equatorial, according to the statement.

"UNESCO hopes that Nepal will endeavor to ensure the widest possible participation of communities, groups and where appropriate, individuals that create, maintain and transmit such heritage, and to involve them actively in its management," read the statement.
Kantipur