Regional symposium advances collaboration on Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) among Korea, China and Japan

In celebration of FAO’s 80th anniversary, the FAO Partnership and Liaison Office in the Republic of Korea hosted the International Symposium on Strengthening Partnerships for the Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS), a trilateral twinning programme involving GIAHS systems from the Republic of Korea, China and Japan. The event aimed to strengthen regional cooperation on GIAHS and promote the dynamic conservation of agricultural heritage systems.

On 19 November 2025, the symposium brought together around 80 participants from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA), the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF), the Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat (TCS), local governments and communities from the nine Korean GIAHS systems, and experts from China, Japan and Thailand. In his opening remarks, Shengyao Tang, FAO Representative in the Republic of Korea, noted that agricultural heritage systems connect traditional knowledge with sustainability goals and called for stronger national and regional cooperation. 

Joining the symposium online, Aurélie Frenandez, Programme Specialist, from the FAO GIAHS Secretariat delivered a keynote presentation highlighting the growth of the GIAHS network to 104 designated systems in 29 countries. She emphasized that GIAHS is not only a designation mechanism but also a global platform for knowledge-sharing. The Secretariat underlined the importance of stronger networks, mentorship for new and candidate systems, and expanded twinning programmes to support long-term cooperation and dynamic conservation. 

Throughout the programme, delegates from the Republic of Korea, Japan and China shared their GIAHS models and field-based management experiences. Eight Korean GIAHS systems presented practical approaches to climate adaptation and community-led conservation. A roundtable of government officials and experts discussed policy coordination and ways to deepen cooperation among GIAHS regions. Participants reaffirmed that effective GIAHS conservation requires coordinated action beyond individual systems and stressed the need for stronger inter-regional partnerships and international collaboration. They also agreed on the importance of expanding twinning programmes. 

In 2025, designated as the Year of GIAHS in the Republic of Korea, the FAO Partnership and Liaison Office in the Republic of Korea worked closely with the GIAHS Secretariat to strengthen national awareness and engagement around GIAHS. As part of these joint efforts, the Office facilitated media field visits to six designated systems, produced promotional materials on newly designated systems, and supported field missions involving FAO staff and members of the National Chapter of ROK. The Office also accompanied the country’s participation in the GIAHS Certificate Ceremony at FAO Headquarters earlier this year, contributing to greater visibility and understanding of GIAHS at national level. 

FAO—through the strong collaboration between its Partnership and Liaison Office in the Republic of Korea and the GIAHS Secretariat—will continue working with national and international partners to advance dynamic conservation and support the sustainable management of GIAHS systems.