Paris: The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has approved the establishment of the UNESCO-Sultan Haitham Prize for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage. This initiative reflects international acknowledgment of Oman's role in protecting intangible cultural heritage and elevating it as a shared human foundation.
According to Oman News Agency, the prize is a result of a joint initiative led by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and the Oman National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, and coordinated with Oman's Permanent Delegation to UNESCO. Its framework aligns with international approaches to safeguarding intangible cultural heritage.
Oman was among the initial countries to ratify the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, through Royal Decree No. 56/2005 issued on 22 June 2005. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth plays a vital role in implementing the convention by registering intangible cultural heritage elements on UNESCO's lists, including the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
The prize extends His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik's commitment to the cultural sector. His tenure at the Ministry of Heritage and Culture in 2002 marked significant cultural development, culminating in Oman's accession to key UNESCO conventions, notably the 2003 Convention for Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Oman's cultural achievements, with significant contributions from His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, include the establishment of the National Museum, the Oman Across Ages Museum, and the National Archives, among others. The prize is expected to honor outstanding contributions in safeguarding, preserving, documenting, and sustaining cultural heritage globally.
The prize aims to reward efforts of organizations that contribute to safeguarding and transmitting intangible cultural heritage, recognized by communities as integral to their heritage, in line with Article 2 of the 2003 Convention.
Moreover, the prize seeks to protect intangible cultural heritage, fostering social cohesion, peace, equality, and sustainable development while enhancing respect for the heritage of communities. It strives to elevate awareness locally, nationally, and internationally of the importance of intangible cultural heritage.
The prize also aims for effective implementation of the 2003 Convention, aligning with initiatives endorsed by the Convention's governing bodies, and contributing to UNESCO's 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, including Quality Education and Sustainable Cities and Communities.
Sayyid Saud bin Hilal Al Busaidi, Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth, emphasized that the prize reflects international recognition of Oman's role in preserving intangible cultural heritage, elevating its presence in international cultural action priorities.
He highlighted that the prize enhances UNESCO's cultural framework, promoting intangible cultural heritage as a cornerstone of human identity and a bridge for fostering understanding among peoples.
Eligibility for the prize requires significant contributions to safeguarding, transmission, or promotion of intangible cultural heritage. General and technical conditions governing the prize will be developed by UNESCO in coordination with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth.