Cambodia wins UNESCO cultural role

Cambodia has secured a seat on UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, a move hailed as a milestone in cultural diplomacy. The Kingdom will serve from 2026 to 2030, helping shape global policy on the protection of living traditions.

The election took place during the 11th General Assembly of States Parties to the 2003 Convention, held in Paris on 17–18 June. Representatives from 185 countries attended the session, which oversees international cooperation on safeguarding intangible heritage.

The committee plays a central role in protecting what UNESCO calls “living heritage”—rituals, performing arts, craftsmanship and social practices passed down through generations. It examines nominations to UNESCO’s heritage lists, guides best practice and approves international assistance programmes.

For Cambodia, the appointment is particularly significant. The country boasts a rich cultural legacy, with several traditions already inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List, including the Royal Ballet, Sbek Thom shadow theatre, Chapei Dang Veng music, Lkhon Khol Wat Svay Andet and the martial art Kun Lbokator.

Membership will allow Cambodia to contribute its own experience of safeguarding traditions that endured decades of conflict, while also playing a more active role in shaping global preservation strategies.

Cambodia joined the convention in 2006 and has since been one of its most engaged members, investing heavily in both tangible and intangible heritage. Officials view culture as a cornerstone of national identity and social cohesion, as well as a bridge for international cooperation.

-2026-06-18