UNESCO has officially recognised the traditional saree weaving art of Tangail of Bangladesh as an element of Intangible Cultural Heritage. The decision was unanimously adopted on Tuesday at the ongoing 20th Intergovernmental Committee meeting of the UNESCO 2003 Convention, being held in New Delhi, India.
This marks Bangladesh’s sixth single inscription under the convention. In 2023, Dhaka rickshaws and rickshaw paintings were inscribed at the 18th meeting of the committee.
The recognition has largely resolved complications surrounding India’s claim of Tangail sarees as a geographical product and Bangladesh’s effort to secure international recognition of the craft as an intangible cultural heritage.
In 2023, India’s declaration of Tangail sarees as its geographical product sparked widespread discontent across Bangladesh. Despite concerns over possible political complications, UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Committee described the nomination dossier submitted by the Bangladesh Embassy as a high-quality registration fully in line with the 2003 Convention.
Experts on intangible cultural heritage believe the inscription has significantly eased earlier disputes related to the origin and ownership of Tangail sarees.
#UNESCO just inscribed traditional art of #Saree weaving, in Tangail Bangladesh, as a living heritage of humanity.
A moment for all weavers to celebrate,
for millions of #women in #Bangladesh #India to rejoice over the treasured Tangail in wardrobe!@UNESCO #handloom #textiles pic.twitter.com/QBDTRJ7I7d— Riaz Hamidullah (@hamidullah_riaz) December 9, 2025
Asked if this decision of inscribing Tangail saree as a heritage exclusively originating in Bangladesh could raise any reaction in India, Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Riaz Hamidullah said, “This registration has been done through a universally adopted Convention to which both India and Bangladesh have signed on. This registration has thus full validity as far international law is concerned. Besides, sari is a most popular and universal wear for women in both countries. This inscription is to celebrate a shared heritage and would go distance in deepening harmony and creating newer opportunities for collaboration between two peoples. This hour, millions of sari-loving women – be in Bangladesh or India – rather worldwide should feel proud of their favourite piece in their wardrobes.”
According to a press release issued by the Bangladesh Embassy in Paris, Ambassador Khandaker M Talha, Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the UNESCO General Assembly and leader of the delegation, immediately hailed the decision. “This recognition is a matter of immense pride for Bangladesh. It is global acknowledgment of the impeccable craftsmanship of Tangail weavers for over two centuries,” he said. Noting that Tangail sarees are part of everyday wear for Bangladeshi women, the ambassador dedicated the achievement to the country’s weavers and women.
The Bangladesh Embassy in Paris submitted the nomination to UNESCO headquarters in April this year in accordance with the procedures of the 2003 Convention. Each application undergoes a rigorous evaluation process by a committee selected from UNESCO member states before final approval by the Intergovernmental Committee. Despite the technical complexity of the process, the dossier prepared by the Bangladesh Embassy was successfully accepted.
Bangladesh secured a four-year term on the Intergovernmental Committee of the UNESCO 2003 Convention in a tightly contested election in 2022, strengthening its role in safeguarding cultural heritage.
The ongoing 20th Intergovernmental Committee meeting was inaugurated on 7 December by Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and is being attended by UNESCO’s newly appointed Director-General Khaled El Enany. The meeting is scheduled to conclude on 13 December.
