Cambodia Wins UNESCO Intangible Heritage Committee Seat for 2026-2030

Cambodia Wins UNESCO Intangible Heritage Committee Seat for 2026-2030

PHNOM PENH, June 18, 2026 – Cambodia has been elected to the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage for the 2026-2030 term, Prime Minister Hun Manet announced on Wednesday.

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 representatives from 185 member states participating.

Hun Manet welcomed the result in a post on his official Facebook page, congratulating Cambodia on securing a seat on the committee, which oversees the implementation of the UNESCO convention aimed at protecting intangible cultural heritage worldwide.

Cambodia’s election reflects growing international recognition of its role in preserving and promoting living cultural traditions, including performing arts, traditional craftsmanship, rituals and other forms of intangible heritage.

The Intergovernmental Committee is responsible for promoting the objectives of the 2003 Convention, overseeing the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage, and deciding on inscriptions to UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Cambodia has previously secured UNESCO recognition for several elements of its intangible cultural heritage, including the Royal Ballet of Cambodia, Sbek Thom shadow theatre, Chapei Dang Veng musical tradition, Lkhon Khol Wat Svay Andet, and Kun Lbokator, the country’s traditional martial art. The newly elected committee term will run from 2026 to 2030.