Decision of the Intergovernmental Committee: 12.COM 10 - intangible heritage - Culture Sector

The Committee,

Having examined document ITH/17/12.COM/10,
Recalling Articles 7(f), 29 and 30 of the Convention,
Taking note of the discussion of the open-ended intergovernmental working group on the development of an overall results framework for the Convention, as reflected in document ITH/17/12.COM/9,
Decides to reform the periodic reporting process with the aim of enhancing its quality, usefulness and timeliness, and ensuring that it is clearly in line with the overarching goals of implementing the 2003 Convention and allowing for more effective monitoring with a view to achieving these goals;
Also decides to amend the periodicity of the submission of national reports under Article 29 of the Convention in order for States Parties to submit their report every six years on the basis of a regional rotation;
Takes note that the calendar for the first regional cycle of national reporting will be established by the Committee at its thirteenth session in 2018, and that a transition period necessary for reforming the periodic reporting mechanism will be followed by the submission of national reports from the first region on 15 December 2020 for examination by the Committee at its sixteenth session in 2021;
Requests that the Secretariat inform the Committee on the transition towards a reform of the periodic reporting mechanism at its thirteenth session;
Recommends that the General Assembly approve the amendments to the Operational Directives for the Implementation of the Convention, as annexed to this decision;
Further decides to examine, at its thirteen session in 2018, the periodic reports on the implementation of the Convention to be submitted by the deadline of 15 December 2017 as the last batch under the system that has existed so far.

ANNEX

V.1	No change.
151.	No change.
152.	The State Party submits its periodic report States Parties submit their national periodic reports to the Committee by 15 December every six years on the basis of a rotation region by region. The order of such rotation is established by the Committee at the beginning of the six-year periodic reporting cycle. of the sixth year following the year in which it deposited its instrument of ratification, acceptance or approval, and every sixth year thereafter. States Parties use the periodic reporting process to enhance active regional exchange and cooperation. Form ICH-10is used for such reports, available at www.unesco.org/culture/ich or on request from the Secretariat. The reports shall include only the information requested in the form. has to be completed online by each State Party (https://ich.unesco.org/) and is revised at appropriate intervals by the Secretariat.
153.	No change.
154.	No change.
155.	No change.
156.	No change.
157.	No change.
158.	No change.
159.	States Parties shall respond, in a timely manner, to specific requests addressed to them by the Committee for additional information, if needed and independently of the regional cycle set out by the Committee, between the deadlines in compliance with paragraph 152 above.
V.2	No change.
160.	No change.
161.	Such reports shall normally be submitted to the Committee by 15 December of the fourth year following the year in which the element was inscribed, and every fourth year thereafter. Form ICH-11 is used for such reports, available at www.unesco.org/culture/ich or on request from the Secretariat. The reports shall include only the information requested in the form. must be completed online by each State Party (https://ich.unesco.org/) and is revised at appropriate intervals by the Secretariat. At the time of inscription, the Committee may establish a specific timetable for reporting on a case-by-case basis, which will take precedence over the normal four-year cycle.
162.	The State Party shall pay special attention to the role of gender and shall report on the current status of the element, including: (a) its social and cultural functions; (b) an assessment of its viability and the current risks it faces; (c) the impacts of the efforts to safeguard the element, particularly the implementation of the safeguarding plan that was submitted at the time of nomination; (d) an update of the safeguarding plan included in the nomination file or in the previous report; (e) the participation of communities, groups and individuals as well as relevant non-governmental organizations in safeguarding the element and their continued commitment to its further safeguarding.
163.	No change.
164.	No change.
V.3	No change.
165.	No change.
166.	The Secretariat transmits to the Committee an overview of all reports received as defined in paragraph 152 four weeks prior to its session. The overview is and the reports are also made available online for public consultation, together with the reports in the language in which they were submitted by the States Parties, unless the Committee decides otherwise in exceptional cases.
167.	Following the session at which they are examined by the Committee, reports are made available to the public for information, unless decided otherwise by the Committee in exceptional cases.
V.4	No change.
168 167.	Paragraphs 157–159 and 165–1676 of these directives shall apply fully to States non party to the Convention that have in their territories items proclaimed as Masterpieces incorporated on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, and that have consented to accept the rights and obligations attendant thereon.
169 168.	Such reports shall be submitted to the Committee by States non party by 15 December 2014, and every sixth year thereafter. Form ICH-10 is used for such reports, available at www.unesco.org/culture/ich or on request from the Secretariat. The reports shall include only the information requested in the form. must be completed online by each State Party (https://ich.unesco.org/) and is revised at appropriate intervals by the Secretariat.