The fourth session of the Governing Board of the International Research Centre for Intangible Cultural Heritage in the Asia-Pacific Region under the auspices of UNESCO (IRCI) was held in Sakai city of Japan from Sept 25 to 26, 2015. Johei Sasaki, chairman of the Governing Board of IRCI and president of the Japanese National Institutes for Cultural Heritage, chaired the meeting.

More than 30 participants attended the session, including members of the Governing Board and representatives from the Japanese National Commission for UNESCO, the International Information and Networking Centre for Intangible Cultural Heritage in the Asia-Pacific under the auspices of UNESCO (ICHCAP), and the International Training Centre for Intangible Cultural Heritage in the Asia-Pacific Region under the auspices of UNESCO (CRIHAP).

The meeting approved the replacement of two members in the Governing Board, the renewal of members for the Advisory Committee. The Work Report and Financial Statement for FY 2014, Work Plan and Budget for FY2015 and 2016, as well as “Medium-term Programme (FY2016-2020)” were examined and adopted.

During the meeting, IRCI also reported on the evaluation and renewal progress of IRCI. Archaeological & Heritage Management Solutions (AHMS) was commissioned by UNESCO to carry out an independent review of IRICI, has submitted an final report to UNESCO on July 2015 and suggested the Agreement between UNESCO and the Government of Japan be renewed. The final report would be examined by the Executive Board of UNESCO on its 2016 spring meeting.

Representatives of CRIHAP as observers attended the meeting.