- was very important as they were at the heart of the Convention. It was thanks to NGOs that intangible heritage was managed, safeguarded and inscribed on a universal list. The Assembly, however, could not be asked to change the way it worked through the discrete introduction of a paragraph at the end of a decision. There had to be a consultation and discussion, possibly through the Committee or the working group, and the delegation thus asked that the paragraph be deleted and that Sweden present its proposal at another time in a more apt discussion forum.
- 175. The delegation of Turkey followed the same line as Algeria and Serbia in not wanting to make any hasty decisions. This issue on how to engage more NGOs was already being discussed within the framework of the ad hoc working group. It was thus better not to make any uninformed decisions and the delegation thus preferred to delete the paragraph, adding that any amendment should be considered under the relevant agenda item.
- 176. The delegation of Finland supported the addition of a separate item on the agenda, adding that although it was good that the NGOForum would present its report later, it was important for future sessions that the role of NGOs be made more visible. It therefore supported the proposal by Sweden, co-sponsored by Iceland and Estonia.
- 177. The delegation of Botswana explained that unless the Secretariat indicated that this agenda item did not fit in the next topic as indicated in the agenda, it was difficult to support its inclusion here because the inclusion of item 7bis already took care of this issue, as mentioned by India and others.
- 178. The delegation of Norway supported the amendment by Sweden.
- 179. The delegation of Palestine noted the important points raised by the delegations, but it was clear that there were very different points of view on this issue. It thus proposed a change in the wording in the hope of achieving a consensus, which would read, ' requests that the ad hoc working group considers the inclusion of a separate agenda item ' . In this way, the working group could reflect on this issue and consider whether it was appropriate, after which they could submit a recommendation.
- 180. The delegation of Senegal spoke of the Secretary's clarification as timely as this paragraph proposed changing the Assembly's working methods. The Assembly needed to formulate informed opinions and thus the working group should continue its work in considering this issue as a separate item. It therefore strongly supported the proposal by Serbia and Algeria, despite Palestine's additional remarks, so as to avoid any confusion. The paragraph should therefore be deleted so that the working group could continue its reflection on this issue.
- 181. The delegation of Viet Nam supported Senegal's well -spoken remarks and subscribed to the position expressed by Algeria, Serbia, India and Senegal.
- 182. The delegation of India support ed the Chairperson's proposal, as well as the request by Serbia and Algeria to delete the paragraph. In addition, it was extremely premature to add an agenda item without first discussing it in the ad hoc working group. More time was thus needed to discuss this issue before it could become an agenda item, as clarified by the Secretary who had explained that the General Assembly would be required to take a decision.
- 183. The Secretary reminded the Assembly that following the last Committee session, the Committee requested that both the Secretariat and the informal ad hoc working group consult with NGOs to review and consider the various functions and roles of the NGOs to act in an advisory capacity to the Committee. This ongoing process had been officially requested by the Committee and it was likely that this would be reported at the next two Committee sessions, the process of which would result in some proposals presented to the next General Assembly. The discussion had thus already been initiated, and although the Secretary appreciated the amendment proposed by Palestine, the informal ad hoc working group worked under the guidance of the Committee. In this sense, the process should really go through the Committee and then the General Assembly. The Secretary also informed the Assembly that a number of meetings were taking place with the Secretariat, the NGOForum