Türkiye Retains 2nd Place on UNESCO Cultural Heritage List

According to Professor Öcal Oğuz, president of the UNESCO National Commission of Türkiye, the country is among the world’s most successful in safeguarding intangible cultural heritage.

Speaking at the award ceremony of the Muğla Olive Blossom International Short Film Competition, organized by the Türkiye Beyazay Association with support from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Oğuz said Türkiye ranks second on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list, The Caspian Post reports citing Turkish media.

He also highlighted the 43rd General Conference of UNESCO, which took place in Uzbekistan from Oct. 30 to Nov. 13, noting Türkiye’s active participation in global cultural initiatives.

Oğuz said Türkiye collaborated with Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan to designate Dec. 15 as “World Turkic Language Family Day.” The proposal received written support from 26 countries and was approved by all 194 UNESCO member states.

He added that UNESCO has recognized 2026 as the 700th anniversary of Sheikh Edebali’s death and the 500th birth anniversary of the poet Baki. During the conference, Oğuz was reelected to the UNESCO Executive Board for the third time.