The 20th session of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage opened on Monday, December 8, in New Delhi. At the outset of the meeting, the Algerian delegation introduced an amendment to the agenda seeking to modify the title of a traditional garment already slated for examination for inscription on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, by adding the phrase «Wearing of the Caftan». Algeria justified its request by claiming it had not been informed of the Committee's program. In response, the Indian Chair of the session proposed putting the Algerian amendment to a secret ballot, an unexpected move that visibly unsettled the Algerian representatives. One delegate requested a «five-minute break to consult with our capital». When the session resumed, the head of the Algerian delegation announced the withdrawal of the proposed amendment concerning the caftan. The withdrawal appeared aimed at avoiding another diplomatic setback, following the November 7 vote for UNESCO's Executive Council, in which Algeria failed to secure a seat, while Morocco was elected with distinction, earning 146 votes, alongside Jordan (131) and Egypt (114). Observers noted that the Algerian initiative seemed chiefly intended for domestic audiences, attempting to suggest that Algeria had moved to register the «caftan» before Morocco. Morocco's nomination to inscribe the caftan on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity is scheduled for examination on Wednesday, December 10, by the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee.
