The seminar was organized by UNESCO Office in Uzbekistan in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture and Sport Affairs of Uzbekistan and at support of Samarkand regional administration within the global strategy of UNESCO on raising potential on preserving intangible heritage.

The main goal of the workshop is to strengthen the national capacity in the field of Implementation of the UNESCO Convention 2003, in particular provide a broad overview of the Intangible Heritage Lists as well as discuss the issues on procedures and preparation of the nominations for inscription of ICH elements onto the Lists.

Central Asia is located at crossroads of ancient civilizations. Its territory, crosses the northern part of the Great Silk Road, is an ensemble of objects and cultural heritage, which represents a common history, displays amazing cultural diversity.

For centuries, local cultural traditions passed down from generation to generation, and contributed to development of intercultural dialogue in Central Asia, and to creation of rich and unique literary and musical traditions of the region.

Intangible cultural heritage is an integral part of life and culture of mankind. Therefore, it is also known as a living heritage, transmitted within the ever-changing societies.

UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage 2003, which entered into force in 2006, is ratified over two thirds of UNESCO member-states, including Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

The workshop is organized by the project “Strengthening the National Capacity on Safeguarding ICH in Central Asia” funded by NORFIT in close cooperation with Culture Section (CLT/ITH) at UNESCO headquarters.