AKP Phnom Penh, June 18, 2026 --

Cambodia has been elected as a member of UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage for the 2026-2030 term.

The election took place during the 11th General Assembly of the States Parties to the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, held at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris on June 17-18, with participation from 185 States Parties.

The Cambodian delegation attending the session was led by H.E. Dr. Phoeurng Sackona, Minister of Culture and Fine Arts and President of the Cambodian National Commission for UNESCO.

The delegation also included H.E. Long Kosal, Ambassador and Permanent Delegate of Cambodia to UNESCO, together with representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts, and the Cambodian National Commission for UNESCO.

Adopted by the UNESCO General Conference on Oct. 17, 2003, the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage is aimed to safeguard the intangible cultural heritage; to ensure respect for the intangible cultural heritage of the communities, groups and individual concerned; to raise awareness at the local, national and international levels of the importance of the intangible cultural heritage, and of ensuring mutual appreciation thereof; and to provide for international cooperation and assistance.

By C. Nika