UNESCO endangered arts 2025: UNESCO adds endangered traditional arts and crafts to its urgent safeguarding list, highlighting global cultural preservation and safeguarding intangible heritage at risk.
UNESCO Adds Endangered Traditional Arts and Crafts to Urgent Safeguarding List
UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, has recently inscribed several endangered traditional arts and crafts on its List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding. This major cultural preservation initiative was announced during the 20th session of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage, held in New Delhi, India. It underscores the global recognition of cultural diversity and the need to preserve traditions that are at serious risk of disappearing due to modern pressures and declining generational transmission.
What Is the Urgent Safeguarding List?
UNESCO’s Urgent Safeguarding List identifies elements of intangible cultural heritage that require immediate protection due to threats like reduced number of practitioners, loss of skills among youth, globalization influences, and economic pressures. Elements inscribed on this list benefit from increased international cooperation, documentation support, and financial assistance to aid their revival and sustainability.
Notable Inscriptions in 2025
This year, UNESCO included several significant elements in the urgent safeguarding list:
- Boreendo (Pakistan) — A rare ancient clay vessel‑flute, traditionally used in folk melodies and rituals; its practice survives today only through a few remaining master artisans.
- Mwazindika Spiritual Dance (Kenya) — A traditional performance deeply rooted in community rituals, highlighting spiritual identity and social heritage.
- Dong Ho Folk Woodblock Printing (Vietnam) — A handmade craft known for its vibrant woodblock prints used during festivals and ceremonies.
These cultural forms are valued not only for their artistic merits but also as living expressions of the identities and histories of the communities that practice them.
International Collaboration for Cultural Preservation
The inclusion of these elements reflects UNESCO’s broader strategy to protect intangible cultural heritage — traditions, performing arts, crafts, crafts skills, and knowledge passed from generation to generation. The safeguarding process involves documentation, community participation, training of new practitioners, and often economic support to ensure that traditional crafts continue to thrive in the modern era.
Why This News Is Important
Significance for Cultural Heritage
This news is globally significant because it highlights how cultural diversity and traditional practices are under threat in the modern world. UNESCO’s decision to add endangered arts and crafts to the urgent safeguarding list spotlights these traditions and mobilises international attention and support. Safeguarding ensures that unique cultural expressions are not lost with modernization, helping maintain the fabric of human cultural identity.
Relevance to Government Exam Aspirants
For students preparing for exams like UPSC (Civil Services), SSC, Banking, Railway, Defence, and Teaching positions, this news directly links to the Art & Culture and International Relations syllabus. Questions on UNESCO’s lists, their types, criteria for inscription, and recent global heritage actions frequently appear in prelims and mains. Understanding such developments enhances awareness of global cultural governance and diplomatic collaboration.
Link to Broader Policy Goals
The safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage aligns with broader global goals like Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11.4, which promotes strengthening efforts to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage. UNESCO’s action supports sustainable cultural tourism, community development, and education — key areas of interest in general studies papers for competitive exams.
Historical Context
UNESCO’s Role in Cultural Safeguarding
UNESCO first initiated efforts to protect intangible cultural heritage with the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. It created three distinct lists to record human heritage:
- Representative List – Practices that demonstrate cultural diversity.
- Urgent Safeguarding List – Traditions at risk of disappearing.
- Register of Best Safeguarding Practices – Successful preservation programs.
The Urgent Safeguarding List was specifically designed to draw attention to traditions and crafts that face imminent threats due to globalization, declining practitioners, loss of economic viability, or cultural assimilation. Inclusion on this list encourages states and communities to undertake action plans aimed at reviving and sustaining these practices.
Past Examples of Safeguarding Efforts
Over the years, UNESCO has listed many cultural elements from countries worldwide, such as unique linguistic practices, folk arts, indigenous music forms, and traditional craftsmanship. These efforts have helped revive endangered practices by facilitating training programs, documentation projects, scholarships, and international visibility.
Key Takeaways from UNESCO’s Urgent Safeguarding List Addition
| S.No. | Key Takeaway |
|---|---|
| 1. | UNESCO added several endangered traditional arts and crafts to its List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding. |
| 2. | The Urgent Safeguarding List targets cultural practices at high risk of disappearing without intervention. |
| 3. | Boreendo from Pakistan, Mwazindika Dance from Kenya, and Dong Ho Woodblock Printing from Vietnam were among the elements inscribed in 2025. |
| 4. | UNESCO’s action encourages international cooperation, training, and documentation to protect these arts. |
| 5. | This development is important for students preparing for competitive exams for Art & Culture and International Relations topics. |
FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the UNESCO Urgent Safeguarding List?
The UNESCO Urgent Safeguarding List is a register of intangible cultural heritage elements that are at risk of disappearing. It aims to mobilize international support, documentation, training, and resources to preserve these endangered traditions.
2. Which traditional arts and crafts were added to the list in 2025?
In 2025, UNESCO added Boreendo (Pakistan), Mwazindika Spiritual Dance (Kenya), and Dong Ho Folk Woodblock Printing (Vietnam) to the urgent safeguarding list.
3. Why are these arts and crafts considered endangered?
They are endangered due to declining number of practitioners, lack of interest among youth, globalization, and economic pressures that threaten their continuity.
4. How does UNESCO help safeguard these traditions?
UNESCO provides financial assistance, international cooperation, training programs, documentation, and community engagement to ensure the survival of endangered arts and crafts.
5. How is this news relevant for government exam aspirants?
It is relevant for Art & Culture, International Relations, and Current Affairs sections of exams like UPSC, SSC, Banking, Railways, and Defence, where questions on UNESCO and intangible heritage often appear.
6. What is the significance of UNESCO’s Urgent Safeguarding List for global culture?
The list helps preserve cultural diversity, protect community identities, and ensure traditional knowledge and practices are passed to future generations.
7. What is the difference between UNESCO’s Representative List and Urgent Safeguarding List?
The Representative List showcases elements reflecting cultural diversity, whereas the Urgent Safeguarding List focuses on elements at risk of disappearing and needing immediate protection.
8. Which international goal aligns with safeguarding intangible heritage?
It aligns with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11.4, which focuses on protecting and safeguarding the world’s cultural and natural heritage.
9. How does UNESCO engage local communities in safeguarding heritage?
Local communities are involved in practicing, teaching, documenting, and reviving the cultural element, ensuring authenticity and continuity.
10. Where was the 20th session of UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Committee held in 2025?
The session was held in New Delhi, India, highlighting the country’s growing role in global cultural preservation.
Some Important Current Affairs Links
