Cyprus has officially submitted its candidacy to register Commandaria Wine on UNESCO’s International List of Intangible Cultural Heritage, according to an announcement by the Deputy Ministry of Culture on Thursday evening. The nomination file has been posted on the UNESCO website and is expected to be reviewed in 2025.

In the announcement, the Deputy Ministry congratulated the Cyprus National UNESCO Committee and expressed gratitude for their cooperation and efforts in preparing and submitting the nomination file. Special thanks were extended to the experts who contributed to its preparation.

The Deputy Ministry also acknowledged the critical role played by the Department of Agriculture of the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development, and the Environment, along with the community leaders, winegrowers, winemakers, and residents of the fourteen Commandaria villages, all of whom were instrumental in preparing the file.

Cyprus has previously registered six other cultural elements in UNESCO’s International List of Intangible Cultural Heritage: Lefkara laces (Lefkaritika) in 2009, Tsiattista poetic duelling in 2011, the Mediterranean Diet in 2013, the Art of Dry Stone Walling in 2018, Byzantine Chant in 2019, and Midwifery in 2023.

According to the Deputy Ministry of Culture, the country’s National List of intangible heritage currently includes 65 elements, with new additions being made each year.

The Deputy Ministry has also prioritized strengthening cooperation between Cyprus and UNESCO and increasing the country’s involvement in the protection and preservation of world heritage. Looking ahead, one of Cyprus's key goals is to secure elected positions in UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Committees and working groups.