With the theme, "The Roles and Risks of Intangible Cultural Heritage in the Face of Climate Change", the 2024 Sub-Regional Meeting on Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage in East Asia took place from November 5-6 in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Hosted by the UNESCO Regional Office for East Asia and the International Information and Networking Centre for Intangible Cultural Heritage in the Asia-Pacific Region under the auspices of UNESCO (ICHCAP), and organized by the Mongolian National Commission for UNESCO and the Ministry of Culture, Sports, Tourism, and Youth of Mongolia, the event convened experts, researchers, and policy-makers from culture, climate change, and disaster risk reduction (DRR) sectors to develop strategies to strengthen ICH safeguarding against the escalating challenges posed by climate change in East Asia.

The meeting opened with impactful speeches from key organizers and stakeholders, setting a purposeful tone for the two-day event. Distinguished speakers, including Mr. Jisung Kim, Director-General of ICHCAP, Prof. Shahbaz Khan, Director and Representative of the UNESCO Regional Office for East Asia, Mr. Davaatseren B, Head of the Coordination Department for Cultural Heritage Policy Implementation at the Ministry of Culture, Sport, Tourism, and Youth, and Mr. Boldsaikhan S, Secretary-General of the Mongolian National Commission for UNESCO delivered remarks highlighting the need to foster collaboration among East Asian nations to integrate ICH into climate adaptation and DRR strategies.

Group photo of the participants © Mongolian National Commission for UNESCO

The meeting's agenda featured five in-depth sessions and collaborative group discussions, each designed to address specific aspects of ICH safeguarding and climate action. In the first session, participants focused on the roles and risks for ICH in the context of climate change, beginning with an introductory presentation by Dr. Duong Bich Hanh, Programme Specialist for Culture at the UNESCO Regional Office for East Asia. The session featured four case studies by Prof. Wonseob Song from the Jeju National University on the culture of Jeju Haenyo in the context of a climate crisis, Mr. Yihong Li from the Good Food Fund on the impact of climate change on the Mangjing Bulang tea culture in Jingmai Mountain, Mr. Shagdarsuren D from Malchin TV on the traditional knowledge possessed by herders to mitigate climate change and disaster risks, and Ms. Yu Lan from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences on the climate-based symbolic system and disaster warding off function of Mongolian epics.

The second session, centered on policy integration, examined best practices for incorporating cultural heritage and DRR into broader climate change frameworks. Prominent experts, including Dr. Jiyoung Kim from Heritage for All, Ms. Fang Lian from the Integrated Research on Disaster Risk (IRDR), Mr. Mamoru Miyamoto from the International Centre for Water Hazard and Risk Management (ICHARM), and Dr. Chimedtseren P. from the National Disaster Research Institute, shared valuable insights and recommendations. Their contributions highlighted successful models and offered actionable strategies to further embed cultural heritage and DRR into climate adaptation policies, emphasizing the need for collaborative, cross-disciplinary approaches.

Participants listening to presentations on Day 1 of the meeting © Mongolian National Commission for UNESCO

The first day of the meeting concluded with a session on the challenges and strategies for safeguarding ICH for climate action. Dr. Sumi Nam from Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, Dr. Yoko Nojima from the International Research Centre for Intangible Cultural Heritage in the Asia-Pacific Region (IRCI), and Dr. Enkhbat G. from the National Center for Cultural Heritage shared insights on policy and community-driven initiatives. They further discussed findings from recent research on the impact of natural disasters on ICH and provided reflections from ongoing efforts, offering a comprehensive view of how research and community actions are shaping the future of cultural heritage preservation in the face of environmental threats.

Participants during the group discussions © Mongolian National Commission for UNESCO

The second day centered on collaborative discussions, where participants used the World Café method to identify priority action areas for integrating ICH safeguarding and climate change. Key topics explored at the cafés were shaped following the draft Guidance Note on Climate Action for Living Heritage, to be discussed and adopted at the upcoming 19^th session of the Intergovernmental Committee of the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in Paraguay. These included raising awareness about the links between climate change and ICH, strengthening partnerships with essential stakeholders, fostering collaborative research and case studies, co-designing and implementing policy and advocacy measures, and enhancing capacity through communication, education, training, and knowledge exchange.

Within each discussion area, participants developed concrete activities, which were then presented in the meeting's fifth and final session. These group presentations outlined proposed action plans, detailing practical steps to integrate ICH into climate adaptation and DRR efforts. The proposals emphasized a multidisciplinary approach, merging cultural heritage expertise with climate science, policy development, and education to drive collective, sustainable action.

Ms. Boyoung Cha from ICHCAP （middle) and Dr. Duong Bich Hanh from the UNESCO Regional Office for East Asia (right) presenting the results of group discussions

The meeting concluded with a vibrant celebration of Mongolian heritage, featuring traditional performances and exhibitions of local handicrafts. Attendees had the unique opportunity to engage directly with Mongolian artisans, participating in a hands-on experience where they tried their hand at traditional Mongolian embroidery. This immersive activity exemplified the living nature ICH, underscoring the vital role such practices play in cultural preservation and community resilience.

Overall, the meeting marked a significant milestone in our efforts to safeguard the invaluable cultural traditions of East Asia's communities, ensuring that these practices continue to foster climate adaptation and strengthen community resilience in the face of an unpredictable environmental future. The implementation of the actions developed during the meeting in the coming years will serve as a concrete application of the Guidance Note at the practical level, ensuring the sustainable safeguarding of the region's diverse intangible cultural heritage.

Participants making traditional Mongolian embroidery © Mongolian National Commission for UNESCO

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Mongolian long song and morin khuur performance © Mongolian National Commission for UNESCO