Muscat – The Sultanate of Oman is set to announce the Unesco-Sultan Haitham Prize for Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage, reaffirming its commitment to protecting and promoting cultural traditions around the world.

According to a media plan prepared by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, details of the prize will be officially revealed on April 23, a day after the formal announcement by Unesco.

The award seeks to support international initiatives dedicated to preserving intangible cultural heritage while encouraging innovative projects and practices that safeguard cultural traditions and ensure their transmission to future generations. It will recognise organisations that have made notable contributions to protecting and promoting living cultural traditions worldwide.

Funded through a one-time endowment by Oman, the prize will also support the objectives of Unesco in implementing the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. The initiative aims to highlight projects that help preserve cultural practices, strengthen social cohesion and contribute to sustainable development.

The award will be presented with a prize money every two years.

Nominations will be made by Unesco member states or partner organisations. The winner will be selected by the Director-General of Unesco based on recommendations from an independent international jury.