Kiri

Culture Sector Living Heritage To the States Parties to the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage 26 March 2020 Ref.: CLT/LHE/20/145 Dear Ambassador, I am writing regarding the eighth session of the General Assembly of the States Parties to the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the General Assembly (originally foreseen from 9 to 11 June 2020) has been rescheduled to take place from 25 to 27 August 2020 (UNESCO Headquarters, Paris). According to these new dates, all working documents will be published by 24 July 2020 on the website of the 2003 Convention. This arrangement is subject to further change, given the unprecedented and evolving situation, and the Secretariat seeks States Parties’ understanding and patience in this regard. Should you require any clarification, please send an email to: [email protected]. I thank you for your interest in the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. Yours sincerely, Tim Curtis Secretary, Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage Chief, Living Heritage Entity cc: National Commissions of the countries concerned 7, place de Fontenoy 75352 Paris 07, France Tel.: +33 (0)1 45 68 11 12 www.unesco.org Culture Sector Living Heritage To the States Parties to the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage 19 June 2020 Ref.: CLT/LHE/20/176 Dear Ambassador, I am writing regarding the eighth session of the General Assembly of the States Parties to the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the General Assembly (previously foreseen from 25 to 27 August 2020 as per the circular letter of 26 March 2020; Ref.: CLT/LHE/20/145) has been rescheduled to take place from 8 to 10 September 2020 at UNESCO Headquarters, Paris. According to these new dates, all working documents will be published by 7 August 2020 on the website of the 2003 Convention. Based on the new dates for the General Assembly, and in conformity with Rule 14.1 of the Rules of Procedure, all States Parties are requested to inform the Secretariat by 28 July 2020 (previously 14 July 2020 as per the circular letter of 7 April 2020; Ref.: CLT/LHE/20/149) whether they intend to stand for election to the Committee. Please note that correspondence should be sent to the Secretariat of the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage and can only be received by email at: [email protected]. A provisional list of candidates and updated information on the status of all compulsory and voluntary contributions to the Intangible Cultural Heritage Fund will be provided to all States Parties at least four weeks (11 August 2020) before the eighth session of the General Assembly in accordance with Rule 14.2 of the Rules of Procedure and will be revised as necessary. The list will be finalized three working days prior to the opening of the General Assembly (Rule 14.4). Please be assured that a formal invitation will follow in due course as has been the case for past years. During the meeting, participants will be required to respect physical distancing practices in line with host country rules and UNESCO guidance. Details on these measures will be shared with all participants via email in advance of the meeting. Please be aware that such measures will limit the number of participants who can enter the meeting room and, as a result, audio transmission will be provided in another room. You may also wish to note that the debates will be broadcast live on the Convention’s webpage (https://ich.unesco.org/en/8ga). Given the unprecedented and evolving situation due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the modality of the General Assembly may be subject to further change, 7, place de Fontenoy 75352 Paris 07, France Tel.: +33 (0)1 45 68 11 12 www.unesco.org  -2- and the Secretariat seeks States Parties’ understanding and patience in this regard. I thank you for your interest in the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. Yours sincerely, Tim Curtis Secretary, Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage Chief, Living Heritage Entity cc: National Commissions of the countries concerned