Paris - Cuba has been elected as a member of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage at UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization).

During the 6th General Assembly of States Parties of UNESCO, the Latin American and Caribbean group approved the motion that Cuba, Guatemala and Colombia be represented in this important intergovernmental body.

Cuba will now occupy (from 2016-2020) one of the 24 seats of the Committee for a term of four years.

Cuba has two dossiers submitted for examination at the Committee: the candidature of Cuban Rumba for possible inclusion in UNESCO's 2016 Intangible Heritage List and 'The Punto Cubano' scheduled for 2017.

An example of the heritage value of rumba and its roots and meaning in the island´s culture, was presented at a celebration of the Latin America and Caribbean Week in the Organization.

Gladys Collazo, president of the National Council of Cultural Heritage, is leading the Cuban delegation participating in the Assembly.

Cuba's ambassador to UNESCO, Dulce Maria Buergo and other members of the embassy and the Cuban National Commission, are part of the Cuban delegation.