ESS 9 aims to facilitate the preservation, protection and promotion of cultural heritage in FAO programming in a manner consistent with UNESCO cultural heritage conventions, the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA) and any other national or international legal instruments that might have a bearing on the use of cultural heritage. FAO has pioneered international recognition of the concept of farmers’ rights, which are linked to the traditional knowledge of farmers and indigenous and local communities. The ITPGRFA is the first international legally binding instrument that endorses these rights and acknowledges farmers’ contributions to the conservation and development of plant genetic resources.

Objectives

• Protect cultural heritage, including food heritage from damage, inappropriate alteration, disruption, removal or misuse, and support its preservation, safeguarding and protection. 
• Ensure equitable sharing of benefits generate from integration and utilization of cultural heritage in FAO programming.
• Promote meaningful consultation with stakeholders, including women and youth, on the preservation, protection, utilization and management of cultural heritage.