On the 11th of December, 2025, during the ongoing 20th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the safeguarding of the intangible cultural heritage of UNESCO in New Delhi, Republic of India, a final decision was made to include the nomination «The Art of breeding the Turkmen Alabay» put forward by Turkmenistan into the Representative list of the intangible cultural heritage of humanity.
This decision was taken unanimously by the 24 members of the Intergovernmental Committee for the safeguarding of the intangible cultural heritage following the high and positive assessment of independent experts and the UNESCO evaluation group.
The nomination dossier, prepared by the Secretariat of the National Commission of Turkmenistan for UNESCO in conjunction with the International association «Turkmen alabay», included the broad participation of masters and families of dog breeders, research scientists, as well as renowned experts and connoisseurs of the alabay breed, which was noted as a positive example of ensuring the active participation of traditional bearers in the preparation of the nomination, while emphasising the important role of women in this process.
The comprehensive and consistent measures taken to protect this element within the framework of state policy, in close cooperation with local administrations, non-governmental organisations and bearers of tradition, are highly appreciated, which ensures the preservation of the sustainability of the ancient tradition of breeding Turkmen alabays and strengthening the continuity of generations.
A total of 66 national and multinational nominations submitted by Member States for inscription on various lists under the Convention were considered at the 20th session. Of these, 54 were nominated for inscription on the Representative list of the intangible cultural heritage of humanity, 11 — for inscription on the list of intangible cultural heritage in need of urgent safeguarding, and 1 — for inscription on the List of best practices for the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage.
The work of the Intergovernmental Committee session will continue until the 13th of December of this year.
