Lakshita Singh
Policy Update
Background
UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization, fosters peace and security through global collaboration in education, science, culture, communication, and information. By encouraging the exchange of knowledge and the free flow of ideas, UNESCO aims to enhance mutual understanding and deepen our awareness of each other’s lives. Its initiatives play a pivotal role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals outlined in the 2030 Agenda, which was endorsed by the UN General Assembly in 2015.
UNESCO strives to guarantee that every child and citizen has access to quality education. By advocating for cultural heritage and the equal respect of all cultures, UNESCO fortifies the connections between nations. It promotes scientific programs and policies as foundations for development and cooperation. Championing freedom of expression as a fundamental right and essential for democracy and development, UNESCO serves as a laboratory of ideas, helping countries adopt international standards and manage programs that facilitate the free flow of ideas and the exchange of knowledge.
46th UNESCO session in India: Significance
For the first time, India proudly hosted the 46th session of the World Heritage Committee Meeting from July 21 to 31, 2024, at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. This event marked a significant milestone in India’s association with the World Heritage Convention, which began in 1977. India’s active participation in the World Heritage Committee, serving four terms, underscores its dedication to international cooperation and capacity-building.
Union Minister of Culture and Tourism, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, emphasized India’s unwavering dedication to heritage conservation, highlighting the country’s long-standing support for the values of the World Heritage Convention. He mentioned that India’s commitment extends beyond its borders, evident through various conservation and capacity-building initiatives undertaken with neighboring countries. This was stated during a press briefing on the successful conclusion of the 46th World Heritage Committee meeting.
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the 46th WHC Session on July 21, 2024, in the presence of esteemed guests. Reflecting his vision of “Vikas Bhi, Virasat Bhi,” Prime Minister Modi announced a $1 million grant to the UNESCO World Heritage Centre during the inaugural session. This contribution will support capacity building, technical assistance, and conservation efforts, particularly benefiting Global South countries.
The Union Culture Minister highlighted that in the past decade, India has achieved new heights of modern development while embracing its heritage with pride, as captured in the pledge “Virasat Par Garv.” He mentioned several key heritage conservation projects, such as the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor, the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, and the construction of a modern campus for the ancient Nalanda University. Under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, India’s efforts have led to the successful inscription of 13 World Heritage Properties in the last decade, placing India 6th globally for the most World Heritage Sites.
During the briefing on the session’s outcomes, Minister Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat announced that the 46th WHC session saw the addition of 24 new World Heritage Sites, including 19 cultural, 4 natural, and 1 mixed property. Among these, Moidams from Assam became India’s 43rd World Heritage Site, marking a significant achievement as it is the first cultural site from Assam to receive this recognition. Located in the Charaideo district, Moidams are sacred burial mounds of the Ahom dynasty, reflecting six centuries of cultural and architectural development.
During the bilateral meetings, Union Culture Minister Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat announced the signing of a Cultural Property Agreement between India and the USA, reinforcing their commitment to combating the illegal trade in cultural property. Additionally, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) entered into an agreement with ICCROM for capacity building and research on tangible heritage. The 46th WHC session also featured the Young Heritage Professionals Forum and the Site Managers Forum, aimed at enhancing global expertise in heritage preservation. A total of 33 side events were organized during the meeting.
The Minister highlighted a notable exhibition at the 46th WHC meeting that showcased 25 repatriated historical objects, underscoring India’s dedication to preserving its cultural heritage.
Shri Shekhawat acknowledged India’s contributions to global heritage conservation efforts in Angkor Wat, Cambodia, Cham Temples in Vietnam, and stupas in Bagan, Myanmar. With 43 World Heritage Sites, including the newly inscribed Moidams, India continues to be a global leader in heritage preservation. He also noted that India’s extensive Tentative List of 56 properties ensures a comprehensive representation of the country’s cultural spectrum.
Highlighting India’s significant role in global cultural development, the Minister mentioned that under India’s G20 presidency, the New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration 2023 (NDLD) endorsed culture as a standalone goal in the post-2030 development framework. This decision marks a paradigm shift in the global development strategy, unlocking culture’s transformative potential to promote economic growth, empower marginalized communities, and safeguard vulnerable heritage. The Kashi Culture Pathway and the NDLD 2023 serve as robust blueprints, guiding the global discourse on culture, the Minister emphasized.
Project PARI (Public Art of India), launched by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, and executed by Lalit Kala Akademi and the National Gallery of Modern Art, aims to showcase public art that merges millennia of artistic heritage with contemporary themes and techniques. This initiative highlights the deep value of art in Indian society and reflects the nation’s ongoing dedication to creativity and artistic expression. The first phase of Project PARI is being implemented in Delhi, aligning with the 46th session of the World Heritage Committee, which will take place in New Delhi from July 21-31, 2024.
Public art holds special significance as it mirrors the nation’s rich and diverse cultural heritage. By bringing art into public spaces, these installations transform urban areas into open-air galleries, making art accessible beyond traditional museum and gallery settings. Integrating art into streets, parks, and transit hubs ensures that artistic experiences are available to everyone. This approach promotes a shared cultural identity and strengthens social cohesion, encouraging citizens to interact with art in their everyday lives. Project PARI is designed to inspire dialogue, reflection, and creativity, contributing to the vibrant cultural landscape of the nation.
Over 150 visual artists from across India have come together to create a diverse array of wall paintings, murals, sculptures, and installations for Project PARI. The project features artwork inspired by a variety of traditional styles, including:
- Phad paintings from Rajasthan
- Thangka painting from Sikkim/Ladakh
- Miniature painting from Himachal Pradesh
- Gond art from Madhya Pradesh
- Tanjore paintings from Tamil Nadu
- Kalamkari from Andhra Pradesh
- Alpona art from West Bengal
- Cheriyal painting from Telangana
- Pichhwai Painting from Rajasthan
- Lanjia Saura from Odisha
- Pattachitra from West Bengal
- Bani Thani Painting from Rajasthan
- Warli from Maharashtra
- Pithora Art from Gujarat
- Aipan from Uttarakhand
- Kerala Murals from Kerala
- Alpana art from Tripura
These artworks not only showcase the rich artistic heritage of various regions but also bring traditional styles into contemporary public spaces.
The 46th session of the World Heritage Committee Meeting concluded with extensive discussions on conservation, international assistance, and bilateral meetings with various countries and organizations. This historic event showcased India’s rich heritage and set the stage for future global heritage conservation efforts.
World Heritage Committee
The World Heritage Committee, comprising representatives from 21 States Parties elected by their General Assembly, meets annually. In its inaugural session, the Committee established its Rules of Procedure. The Committee oversees the implementation of the World Heritage Convention, determines the use of the World Heritage Fund, and allocates financial assistance based on requests from States Parties. It has the ultimate authority to decide if a property is inscribed on the World Heritage List.
Additionally, the Committee reviews reports on the conservation status of listed properties and requests action from States Parties when these properties are not properly managed. It also makes decisions regarding the inclusion or removal of properties on the List of World Heritage in Danger. It’s objectives are based on 5c’s
Since 1977, the World Heritage Committee has held annual sessions to tackle key issues related to the conservation and management of important cultural and natural sites worldwide. These meetings are crucial for representatives from member states to review reports, assess the condition of listed properties, and make essential decisions for safeguarding our shared heritage. In addition to these regular sessions, the Committee has convened 19 extraordinary meetings since 1981. Together, these gatherings reflect the Committee’s ongoing dedication to protecting the world’s most valuable landmarks for future generations.
Highlights
The annual session of UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee concluded in New Delhi after ten days of intensive debates and discussions on how to sustainably manage and preserve world heritage for future generations. Around 1,400 delegates from 136 States Parties and nearly 2,900 participants from across the globe attended the Committee’s 46th session, which was held in India for the first time.During the session, 24 new sites were added to UNESCO’s prestigious World Heritage List, including the Moidams, the mound-burial system of the Ahom dynasty in Assam, northeastern India. This addition brings India’s total number of World Heritage Sites to 43.
Tim Curtis, Director and Representative of the UNESCO New Delhi Regional Office for South Asia, hailed the session as “a celebration of humanity’s shared heritage.” He emphasized the diversity of the year’s additions, which included natural landscapes, monuments, historic buildings, and significant sites of memory, bringing the total number of properties on the World Heritage List to 1,223.
In her opening remarks, UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay highlighted the “tremendous challenges in protecting heritage amid the global transformation driven by the digital revolution and climate disruption,” addressing the delegates about the need for resilient strategies to safeguard world heritage in these changing times.
In addition to updating the World Heritage List, the Committee session reviewed the List of World Heritage in Danger and explored ways to enhance capacity-building in countries to improve the management of their heritage sites. During the session, the Niokolo-Koba National Park in Senegal was removed from the UNESCO World Heritage List in Danger. Conversely, the Monastery of Saint Hilarion/Tell Umm Amer in Palestine was added to the List of World Heritage in Danger, due to threats of the ongoing hamas-israel war.
The session featured around 40 side events, including those focused on young heritage professionals and site managers. A digital exhibition titled “Interwoven Legacies” showcased the connections between India’s World Heritage sites and their associated living heritage.
India’s first sunken museum was inaugurated on July 29 at the renowned Humayun’s Tomb complex in New Delhi. Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat officially opened the museum, which features over 500 artifacts, many of which are on public display for the first time. Inspired by traditional ‘baolis’ or water tanks, the museum provides insights into the life of Mughal emperor Humayun and the rich heritage of the Nizamuddin area.
Visitors can explore Mughal miniatures, manuscripts, coins, textiles, and various other artifacts. The museum also includes an immersive gallery with a 270-degree screen, offering virtual tours of the World Heritage Sites monuments and gardens, along with an animated presentation detailing the evolution of Humayun’s Tomb over the past 500 years.
The inauguration of the museum coincided with the 46th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in New Delhi. Starting July 30, the museum will be open to the public, providing a new opportunity to experience and engage with India’s rich cultural heritage.
Way forward
The 46th session of the World Heritage Committee, scheduled to convene in New Delhi in 2024, represents a pivotal moment in global heritage conservation efforts. The Ministry of Culture (MoC), Government of India, and its affiliated office, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), are the nodal agencies responsible for hosting the session this year. India needs to host more of these kinds of events to showcase and increase its own power in the context of the global scenario. It is the need of the hour for a country like India to increase its own influence in accordance with its aim of Viksit Bharat@2047.
This session underscores the ongoing commitment to safeguarding irreplaceable treasures for future generations. By fostering global collaboration and upholding the principles of the World Heritage Convention, the Committee continues to play a crucial role in ensuring that our world’s most significant sites endure and thrive amidst contemporary challenges.
Following the hosting of the G20, the upcoming 46th session of the World Heritage Committee, to be held from July 21-31, will mark the next significant milestone, stated Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat.
Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat emphasized that the 46th session of the World Heritage Committee, scheduled from July 21-31, is the first major event for India under Prime Minister Modi’s third term. Organized with a “whole-of-government approach” within a tight timeframe of 40 days, this international meeting is set to enhance India’s soft power globally and offer significant outreach opportunities.
Shekhawat highlighted that the WHC session will allow India to showcase its rich and diverse cultural heritage, including the preservation and management of its sites, as well as the nation’s commitment to its heritage. This high-profile event is expected to boost India’s cultural significance, demonstrate its diversity, and enhance the country’s art, architecture, hospitality, and tourism industry.
REFERENCES
About the Contributor: Lakshita Singh, is a research intern at IMPRI and currently pursuing her graduation in BA hons History from Delhi university.
Acknowledgement– I would like to thank Ms Sana Ansari, Ms Ambika, Ms Aasthaba Jadega and Dr. Arjun Kumar for reviewing my article.
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