Africa’s vibrant and rich living heritage plays a fundamental role in building a strong cultural identity and shared values across the region, which are key to achieving peace and development outcomes under the African Union Agenda 2063 and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
The UNESCO 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage provides a platform to mobilize international cooperation and assistance for stakeholders and raise awareness about the importance of safeguarding the living heritage of African and Afrodescendants communities as lever for sustainable development, dialogue and peace.
Giving international visibility to the living heritage of African and Afrodescendant communities is an important safeguarding measure, strengthening the viability of their living heritage and ensuring its transmission for the well-being of future generations. Inscriptions may provide the opportunity for African and Afrodescendant communities to ensure that their experiences and needs in safeguarding their living heritage are taken into account, while involving them in decision-making processes that concern them and their heritage.
