- of reporting or monitoring of the implementation of the Convention. It was hoped that the usefulness of periodic reporting to States Parties themselves could be an answer, at least in part, to the low submission rate of periodic reports. As the latter focused increasingly on results, the process of preparing them could progressively benefit the various actors involved in implementing the Convention by promoting dialogue and participation. If the overall results framework were adopted by the General Assembly, the ICH-10 periodic reporting format would be aligned with it to ensure that the information solicited in the form contributed as directly and adequately as possible to the framework. This process of orienting Form ICH-10 towards results reporting would also aim to keep in the forefront how the reporting process itself could be made as useful as possible to States Parties and other actors. Some possible improvements to the periodic reporting system had already been addressed by 12.COM, which had begun its reform. In particular, these concerned the possibility of realigning reporting deadlines so that States Parties would no longer report every six years on the anniversary of their ratification of the Convention but would instead report concurrently with other States from the same region. If the seventh General Assembly confirmed the wish of the Committee and amended the Operational Directives accordingly, then there would be a move towards a regional cycle of national reporting, to be discussed under agenda item 10.
- 304. The Secretary mentioned another important aspect of the reform and the roll-out of the results framework, which was the need to prepare properly for the implementation of the framework itself and to accompany its introduction with informational and capacity-building activities. This would allow States Parties and other actors concerned, including communities, groups and individuals, to implement the framework effectively and to focus on results when reporting. Operationally, the move towards the regional cycle of national reporting required several steps before the new calendar could be fully put into place. The series of regional workshops to introduce the overall results framework and the revised results-oriented ICH-10 periodic reporting form could be complemented with more intensive working sessions at sub-regional or national levels to begin to define country-level baselines and targets in the national reports. In that context, one of the main advantages of moving the reporting cycle to a regional rather than ratification-based calendar were the opportunities it could offer for more efficient capacity building, including peer-to-peer and neighbour-to- neighbour technical assistance. Given that communities, NGOsandmanyother stakeholders play a key role in the implementation of the Convention, the actual implementation of the overall results framework would also need to consider how non-State actors to the Convention could best be involved in future processes of reporting, monitoring and planning. Finally, since the indicators in the framework attempted to assess the impact of intangible cultural heritage safeguarding on fostering human well-being, dignity and creativity, it could be expected that the information collected would support other reporting frameworks, notably those related to the 2030 Agenda. The 2030 Agenda itself recommended that the follow-up and review of the implementation of the SDGsshould build on existing reporting mechanisms, acknowledging that Member States had already been subject to reporting obligations in many relevant areas. UNESCO had already begun this work of integrating its programmatic framework into the SDGs. The programmes for 2018 - 2021 and the 39 C/5 were based on in-depth mapping proposed by the expected results of the Organization's contribution to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. At the global level, greater consideration of the articulation of the results framework of the Convention with other frameworks, such as those of the SDGs, should also help UNESCO continue its advocacy for the contribution of culture to sustainable development and as a support to Member States in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda by providing evidence-based policy recommendations and reporting.
- 305. The Chairperson thanked the Secretary for the complete and exhaustive presentation, adding that it was rare for an international instrument to incorporate this type of results-based tool, which would undoubtedly help determine the impacts of the Convention in a very comprehensive way. Member States could also be proud of the fact that this overall results framework had been developed in a participatory and inclusive manner and was thus developed by the States themselves.