New delhi: The Malaysian Craft Council (MCC) has made history by being elected to the Evaluation Body under the 2003 United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage for the 2026-2029 term. MCC secured the position during the 20th session of the Intergovernmental Committee in New Delhi.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, MCC president Nik Faiz Nik Amin expressed that the appointment signifies international recognition of Malaysia's contributions to preserving and empowering intangible cultural heritage. He emphasized that MCC's involvement will adhere to the guidelines of the 2003 UNESCO Convention, ensuring operations are conducted independently and professionally, in alignment with UNESCO's principles of transparency, fairness, and integrity.

Nik Faiz highlighted MCC's dedication to fulfilling this responsibility with utmost trust and continuing its contribution to global efforts for the preservation and sustainability of intangible cultural heritage for future generations. He also noted that MCC's role in the evaluation body underscores Malaysia's commitment to supporting the protection of the world's intangible cultural heritage, following UNESCO's approach that values heritage as an evolving living cultural practice.