On 27 September FAO World Tourism Day celebrations took place and the China National Tourist Office in Rome, along with the World Tourism Alliance hosted an event at FAO Headquarters that focused on tourism opportunities that support communities and alleviate poverty. Opening the event, Mr. René Castro-Salazar, FAO’s Climate, Biodiversity, Land and Water Department Assistant-Director General described China’s Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) Programme, showing how China successfully promotes tourism through...

Within the framework of South-South Cooperation, FAO and the Government of China have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to support the capacity development of member states in the implementation and management of the GIAHS programme. The objective of the High Level Training is to train national staff to become focal points for GIAHS, including government resource officers and academicians. The aim is to encourage them to initiate, implement and manage a GIAHS...

Patrimonio, Corsica Island, France Last week was the second edition of the SlowFood Ribellazione festival. In the spotlight, ancient cereals, natural breads and traditional knowledge organized by the Association SlowFood Corse A Granitula. In this context, the GIAHS secretariat had the honor to present its Program and its successes in promoting and enhancing traditional agricultural systems, particularly in Southern Europe. Debates, conferences and tastings animated the festival, which seeks to give farmers the...

An event starting today in Batumi, Georgia, aims to kick-start the discussion on GIAHS in Europe and Central Asia and to facilitate its applications from countries throughout the region. Participants from eight countries – Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Italy, Kazakhstan, Montenegro, Spain and Tajikistan – will learn of the advantages of GIAHS recognition.

Into the list there is also the book Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems: Combining agricultural biodiversity, resilient ecosystems, traditional farming practices and cultural identity: With stunning pictures of remarkable sites all around the world, this publication highlights some of FAO’s Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS).