Dozens of artists from 16 countries and regions are working to set up an international union to better protect folk arts and craft around the globe.

The International Folk Arts and Craft Union (IFACU) will promote cooperation among artists from all over the world to save, protect and develop folk arts and craft, said Luo Huanxin, executive chairman of IFACU's Preparatory Committee.

The artists from China, Taiwan, the United States, Canada, Japan and other countries and regions adopted a constitution for IFACU this weekend in Kunming, southwest China's Yunnan Province.

The organization will be headquartered in Kunming and will hold its first general assembly in 2008, Luo said.

(Xinhua News Agency October 24, 2006)