The transversal contribution of culture to development and the central role of living heritage in the Pacific both as a coping mechanism that ensures social cohesion during a crisis, as well as a way of contributing to the 2030 Development Agenda is undeniable. With almost all PSIDS having ratified the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, the focus is now turning towards the implementation of the Convention and more specifically on ways the Convention can contribute to sustainable development. To this end, the UNESCO Office in Apia is currently producing a policy brief that will aim to inform policy and decision makers, as well as raise awareness around the important contribution of culture and its relevant institutions in the recovery phase following COVID-19.

Presenting examples of disaster reduction and water management through intangible cultural heritage in countries in the Himalayan region. Understanding the importance of intangible cultural heritage as a response to natural disasters. Looking at the current situation in the knowledge community, where experts from different countries can discuss the use of intangible cultural heritage in this field and outcomes thereof.

The ICH festivals in the Kyrgyz Republic are a great way to safeguard the cultural heritage. Kyrgyzstan has a rich ICH and embraces all ICH domains including the oral traditions andexpressions, performing arts, social practices, rituals and festive event, knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe, and traditional craftsmanship. Festivals feature various ICH domains such as arts and crafts, cuisine, folklore, felt, hunting with birds, horse games, etc. For instance, the festivals Kyrgyz Shyrdagy and the Oimo International Festival are held with the aim of safeguarding and popularizing traditional knowledge and skills of handicrafts, for safeguarding and promoting traditional games, various birds of prey festivals are held, such as Salbuurun and Kok Boru. Moreover, festivals are dedicated to safeguarding oral traditions, such as Aitysh, the art of improvisation as well as many other festivals reflecting traditional cuisine, folklore, etc.

In introducing the background of building ichLinks as the Asia-Pacific ICH information sharing platform, its core values and objectives, implementation schemes, and expected effects are explained. ichLinks plans to serve as a common ground for all the participating Member States to connect with each other. ICHCAP plans to form a one-stop integrated online service platform and an expanded platform based on the participation of Member States by establishing an Executive Committee led by partner organizations from participating Member States for efficient platform operation. In addition, ICHCAP support will address differences and deficiencies resulting from different technological conditions among nations. These actions would help participating states and partner organizations voluntarily and actively using the platform and continue to create new value through multilateral information sharing, exchange, and cooperation. Information and content shared through ichLinks can be constantly recreated and reused as online and offline resources in areas, e.g. festivals, exhibitions, research, and tourism.

Maldives’ Laquer and Its Prospects by Zaha Ahmed (Architect, National Centre for Cultural Heritage at Ministry of Arts Culture & Heritage)

Human-Anito-Nature Relationship: Indigenous/Local Knowledge, Anitism, and Sustainable Development\t\nBobby dG. Lopez (PhD Researcher, University of the Philippines, Diliman)

Urushi Lacquer in Japan: Restoration of Cultural Properties and the Current State of Urushi Production by Yuji Yonehara (Director, Center for Innovation in Traditional Industries Kyoto Seika University)

The Universality and Distinctiveness of East Asian Printing Technology by Kim Bang Ul (Researcher at the Korea National University of Cultural Heritage)

Keynote Presentation\t\nCommonalities and Diversity of Asia-Pacific Intangible Cultural Heritage: For Asian Values and Safeguarding Strategies of Lacquer Crafts by Ki-dong Bae (Professor Emeritus, Hanyang University)\n

Vietnam Lacquer Painting – A Link Between Oriental Lacquer Crafts Tradition And Western Plastic Art Value by Trieu Khanh Tien (Deputy Dean of Painting Faculty, Vietnam University of Fine Arts)

Foods, Roots and Routes: Gendering Memory in the Age of Displacement by Khatharya Um (Associate Professor, University of California, Berkeley)

Sharing, Sustaining and Safeguarding to the ICH of East Asian Seasonal Festival by Xiao Fang, Huo Wen, Xu Qian (Beijing Normal University)\t\t