Bangladesh has gained major international recognition as UNESCO has added the country’s traditional Tangail saree weaving to the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The decision was made unanimously at the 20th session of the Intergovernmental Committee of the UNESCO 2003 Convention in New Delhi.
This is Bangladesh’s sixth solo inclusion on the list and the second since the country was elected to the Committee.
Ambassador Khondker M. Talha, who leads the Bangladesh delegation and serves as President of the UNESCO General Conference, said the recognition honours more than 200 years of Tangail’s unique weaving tradition. He said it is a proud moment for the nation and a global tribute to the skill of Bangladeshi weavers. He dedicated the achievement to all weavers and women of Bangladesh.
He added that the listing will further strengthen Bangladesh’s efforts to protect its intangible cultural heritage, noting that the country has many more traditions that deserve UNESCO recognition.
The session was inaugurated on December 7 by Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, with UNESCO Director-General Khaled El Anany also in attendance.
