A regional training workshop on the 2003 UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage took place in the South Korean city of Jeonju from November 2 to 4. It was organized by the International Information and Networking Centre for Intangible Cultural Heritage in the Asia-Pacific Region (ICHCAP)—which operates under the auspices of UNESCO—and the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Korea.

The seminar brought together national coordinators from states parties to the Convention in the Asia-Pacific region, as well as international experts from UNESCO. Turkmenistan was represented by Jemal Rematullayeva, an officer at the Secretariat of the National Commission of Turkmenistan for UNESCO, who is also a participant in the ICHCAP associate expert program.

The primary objective of the event was to enhance the professional skills of those responsible for preparing periodic reports on the implementation of the Convention at the national level, and to examine international experience. Participants examined the application of the Overall Results Framework (ORF), data collection and analysis, and the assessment of results, as well as the involvement of government bodies, relevant organizations, and bearers of intangible cultural heritage in the preparation of reports.

In addition, participants exchanged experiences regarding the improvement of periodic reporting, discussed challenges encountered in the implementation of the Convention at the national level, and underscored the importance of the involvement of communities, groups, and individuals in the safeguarding of intangible heritage.