Document ITH/12/7.COM/19 Decision 7.COM 19
78. The Chairperson remarked that the periodic reports had shown that many States Parties had embarked on a broad range of safeguarding measures while others seemed to be slower in developing effective safeguarding policies and institutions. Often this was due to human resources, which only emphasized the need to strengthen both professional and institutional resources. The periodic reports also showed that a number of States Parties had yet to fully benefit from the Convention’s opportunities for cooperation. In this regard, the Chairperson was honoured to welcome the generous offers of the Netherlands, Norway and Spain to support the capacity-building strategy through voluntary supplementary contributions to the ICH Fund. The Chairperson expressed his deepest gratitude to the States Parties concerned for their commitment towards reinforcing the capacities of developing States, adding that this was the best way to contribute sustainably to the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage. The Chairperson also noted that this was the second time that Norway and Spain had provided such valuable support, while the contribution by the Netherlands came just six months after its ratification. The Chairperson also thanked Japan for its voluntary contributions to the ICH Fund that covered the costs related to the two open-ended intergovernmental working groups in 2011 and 2012.
79. The Secretary recalled that during its fifth session, the Committee had accepted the generous offer of US$1.3 million from Norway to implement three capacity-building programmes in Lusophone African Countries (Angola, Mozambique, São Tomé and Príncipe), Central Asia (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan), and the Caribbean (Aruba, Cuba, Dominican Republic and Haiti), which had benefitted 150 key stakeholders to date, mobilizing colleagues in Headquarters and the field. Spain also
contributed US$230,000 to the Fund to support capacity-building in Central America (Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua). The Committee was now invited to consider three new voluntary contributions in accordance with Article 25.5 of the Convention that would allow them to be earmarked for specific projects. Other unrestricted voluntary contributions would be added to the Fund and spent according to the plan approved by the General Assembly.
80. The Secretary took the opportunity to apologize for the late online availability of document 19, adding that the Committee was invited to accept a total amount of approximately US$2.25 million to be used as indicated in paragraph 5 of the document. It was noted that 100% of the contribution from the Netherlands would go towards strengthening the capacities of Suriname and the Dutch Caribbean islands. Norway’s contribution would be divided into four projects: 35% for the second phase (following a successful first phase) of the project ‘Strengthening capacities of Portuguese-speaking countries in Africa for implementing the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage’ with special emphasis on São Tomé and Príncipe, and possible extension to Guinea Bissau and Cape Verde; 33% towards strengthening the capacities of Maghreb countries (Morocco, Mauritania, Tunisia); 16% towards strengthening the capacities of Myanmar; 16% for strengthening the capacities of Eritrea. It was noted that both Myanmar and Eritrea had made repeated calls for capacity-building. Meanwhile, 100%
of Spain’s contribution would go towards strengthening the capacities of Niger. The projects would follow the model that had been presented earlier.
81. The Secretary explained that should the Committee approve the offers, the Secretariat would work alongside the beneficiary countries through UNESCO’s field offices to prepare concrete work plans for the implementation of the six projects. Consistent with the principles of Results-Based Management, the contributions would be credited to the Special Account for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage and governed by its Financial Regulations, as adopted by the Committee at its first extraordinary session in May 2007. Moreover, placing the cooperation within the framework of the implementation of the Convention and the decisions of its statutory bodies increases the impact of such projects, while providing donors with high visibility. The offers by the Netherlands, Norway and Spain, together with the funds from the ICH Fund, should enable the Secretariat to continue its work on the global strategy for strengthening Member States’ capacities for the effective safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage.
82. The Chairperson thanked the Secretary for the clear explanations, and was pleased to note that the Netherlands, Norway and Spain had put their faith in the Convention.
83. The delegation of the Netherlands was pleased and honoured to participate at the Committee meeting for the first time as State Party, adding that it fully supported UNESCO’s global capacity-building strategy. The delegation considered important that Suriname and the Dutch Caribbean be able to implement the Convention so as to safeguard their intangible cultural heritage. Capacity-building activities and training workshops would therefore be organized for policy workers, cultural organizations and intangible cultural heritage communities over the next two years, which the delegation hoped would increase awareness of intangible cultural heritage in the region and the world.
84. The delegation of Norway was of the opinion that the success of the Convention depended on two criteria. Firstly, the ability of States Parties to implement the Convention by creating favourable conditions for the different stakeholders, as well as the national obligation to cover the safeguarding measures. Secondly, the ability of States Parties to cooperate with the Committee to address the international issues of the Convention, including the lists and international assistance. Both cases required capacity-building to support States Parties in creating favourable institutional and professional environments.
The delegation welcomed the decision by the third General Assembly to support the global capacity-building strategy, since it targeted tailor-made projects that addressed the level and needs of the beneficiary countries, which included institutional infrastructure that
catered to specific safeguarding needs. This would prove to be a more adequate approach compared to a one-size-fits all model, and one that would strengthen the capacity of all actors concerned. Within the framework of cooperation between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Norway and UNESCO, the delegation informed the Committee that another voluntary contribution would be made in 2013 to support this timely and useful strategy. The delegation hoped to remain regularly informed of the projects as they develop, which could serve as a learning platform for the sustainable safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage.
85. The delegation of Spain explained that it had made its contribution as the result of a dual commitment to the young Convention so as to ensure its effective implementation and because intangible cultural heritage is one of Spain’s main priorities. It was also viewed as a priority for Spain’s overseas development in the Sahel region, an area with a wealth of intangible cultural heritage yet in great need of assistance.
86. The Chairperson reiterated his thanks to the three countries for their generous and important contributions towards the implementation of the Convention, particularly in view of the world’s economic situation.
87. Speaking on behalf of Group V(a), the delegation of Nigeria expressed its sincere thanks to the three countries for their generous contributions to Africa that targeted the special needs of the Lusophone countries as well as Eritrea.
88. The delegation of Morocco wished to thank all the countries that provided voluntary contributions to the Fund, notably the Netherlands, Spain and Japan, as well as Norway for allocating 33% of its contribution to the Maghreb region. The delegation of Tunisia also thanked Norway for its generous contribution.
89. The delegation of Grenada thanked the voluntary donors for their supplementary contributions, and invited other States Parties to contribute towards capacity-building in the wider Caribbean region.
90. The Chairperson moved to the adoption of the draft decision.
91. The delegation of Japan remarked that it had submitted a minor amendment, adding that there were two ways of supporting the capacity-building strategy: through voluntary contributions, for which it was thankful to the three contributing States Parties, but also through the Funds-in-Trust arrangement. In this way, States Parties could best select the way it wished to contribute to the Convention, which could be reflected in the decision.
The Chairperson concurred with the remarks by Japan, adding that paragraph 7 had been amended accordingly to include the mention of ‘Funds-in-Trust arrangements’.
92. The delegation of Morocco took the opportunity to thank Japan for its enormous contributions to the Convention, and thus sought to include Japan among the countries commended for their contributions.
93. The Secretary agreed that Japan provided considerable assistance, but that there were in fact many important contributors. She suggested formulating a separate paragraph that would take into consideration these contributions, while highlighting the specific contributors to the ICH Fund.
94. The delegation of Grenada agreed with the Secretary that the purpose of the decision was to accept the specific earmarked funds as stipulated in the Operational Directives. It also supported the amendment by Japan, and proposed adding the names of the contributors to paragraph 7 in reference to those that had accepted the invitation extended to States Parties to support the global capacity-building strategy.
95. The Chairperson acknowledged that the draft decision served a specific purpose, but would consider a more general decision if the Committee so wished. With no further comments of objections, the Chairperson declared Decision 7.COM 19 adopted as amended.
96. The Chairperson took the opportunity to recall that at its third session in June 2010, the General Assembly established a dedicated sub-fund to be used exclusively for enhancing the human capacities of the Secretariat. To date, several countries had made contributions to the sub-fund, and the Chairperson wished to thank Bulgaria, China, Hungary, Indonesia, Japan, Republic of Korea and Spain. The Chairperson also encouraged other States Parties to consider strengthening the capacities of the Secretariat through small or large donations, particularly as the sub-fund was now largely depleted due to the severe financial constraints faced by UNESCO’s Regular Programme. The Chairperson concluded that without resources, the work of the Convention and the Secretariat would be hindered.