Preserving the world’s treasures includes not just natural and man-made creations, such as the Great Wall of China or the Great Barrier Reef. It also includes cultural traditions, and since 2001, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has sought to maintain these legacies threatened by global change. UNESCO does this through the List of Intangible Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding—a list that now includes the Tango, thanks to Argentina and Uruguay, which submitted the dance for consideration. UNESCO decided the Tango “embodies and encourages diversity and cultural dialogue” while adding it its cultural heritage list. Concern over declining tourism, causing some Tango shows to close, prompted Argentine officials to approach UNESCO.
                                                                                                                                                       -Noel Brinkerhoff

Tango Gets UN Cultural Approval (BBC News)
The Intangible Heritage Lists (UNESCO)