India, a country with a rich cultural and political heritage, will proudly host the New Delhi UNESCO World Heritage Committee session from July 21 to 31. The 46th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee will take place at the Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.
The event expects over 2,500 delegates from 195 countries, including State Parties, advisory bodies, senior diplomats, heritage experts, scholars, and researchers. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate this significant event on July 21. UNESCO has already released a provisional agenda and timetable for the meeting.
The World Heritage Committee has representatives from 21 States Parties to the World Heritage Convention. The General Assembly of UNESCO elects these representatives. The committee held its 45th session in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The current members of the committee represent a diverse range of countries, including Argentina, Belgium, Bulgaria, Greece, India, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Lebanon, Mexico, Qatar, the Republic of Korea, Rwanda, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Senegal, Turkey, Ukraine, Vietnam, and Zambia. This diversity reflects the global nature of the World Heritage Committee.
The committee plays a crucial role in implementing the World Heritage Convention. It is responsible for managing the allocation of financial assistance from the World Heritage Fund. It has the final say on whether a site is added to the World Heritage List.
India is committed to global cultural leadership by hosting the 46th session and collaborating with UNESCO. With 42 UNESCO World Heritage sites, including the recent addition of Santiniketan, India showcases its rich cultural and political heritage, making it an ideal location for discussions on preserving global heritage.
Meanwhile, India’s Ministry of Culture has initiated Project PARI for the 46th UNESCO World Heritage Committee Meeting. Project PARI (Public Art of India) is a venture by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, executed by Lalit Kala Akademi and the National Gallery of Modern Art. Its objective is to create public art inspired by India’s artistic heritage and encompassing modern themes and techniques. This initiative emphasizes the inherent value of art in Indian society and demonstrates the nation’s ongoing dedication to creativity and artistic expression.
More than 150 artists from all over the country are working on various sites in the national capital to enhance public spaces for the upcoming UNESCO event. The artists are collaborating to create wall paintings, murals, sculptures, and installations, drawing inspiration from diverse artistic styles like Phad paintings from Rajasthan, Thangka paintings from Sikkim and Ladakh, miniature paintings from Himachal Pradesh, Gond art from Madhya Pradesh, and many others including Tanjore paintings, Kalamkari, Alpona art, Cheriyal painting, Pichhwai Painting, Lanjia Saura, Pattachitra, Bani Thani Painting, Warli, Pithora Art, Aipan, Kerala Murals, and Alpana art, among others.
Sources: UNESCO; Ministry of Culture, Government of India.
CitiTimes 