1997 - UNESCO and the Moroccan National Commission organize an international consultation on the preservation of popular cultural spaces in Marrakesh in June
1999 - UNESCO and the Smithsonian Institution jointly organize the Conference: "A Global Assessment of the 1989 Recommendation on the Safeguarding of Traditional Culture and Folklore: Local Empowerment and International Cooperation", in Washington DC, USA
2001 - The First Proclamation of 19 Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity takes place in May. In October, UNESCO's Member States adopt the Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity, together with an action plan
2003 - The 32nd session of the General Conference adopts the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in October. In November, the Second Proclamation inscribes 28 new Masterpieces
2004 - Algeria deposits its instrument of approval on March 15, thus becoming the first State Party to the Convention
2005 - The Proclamation of 43 Masterpieces brings the total to 90
2006 - The Convention enters into force on April 20. Forty-seven Member
States have thus far ratified it.