Mr. Tim Curtis

Mr. Tim Curtis (Australia) assumed the role of Director and UNESCO Representative for the UNESCO Regional Office in New Delhi on 2 October 2023. In this capacity, he oversees UNESCO’s work across Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, the Maldives, and Sri Lanka.

Before his current appointment, Dr. Curtis served as the Secretary of UNESCO’s 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage from January 2016, leading the statutory and operational aspects of UNESCO’s global Living Heritage programme. His tenure contributed significantly to strengthening international cooperation and the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage worldwide.

With over 25 years of experience in the fields of culture and sustainable development—20 of which have been with UNESCO—Dr. Curtis has worked in a range of international settings. From 2004 to 2016, he served as a UNESCO Programme Specialist for Culture in both East Africa and Southeast Asia, implementing cultural initiatives in diverse contexts.

Dr. Curtis holds a PhD in Cultural Anthropology from the Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies at the Australian National University. His doctoral research explored the connection between oral history and place among the Na’hai speakers of Malakula in the Republic of Vanuatu. His academic and advocacy background continues to inform his leadership in cultural policy and heritage preservation.