Agricultural heritage: tackling climate challenges and building resilient communities

Rome - In 2024, the Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) Programme expanded its global network to 89 systems across 28 countries, designating three new systems that demonstrate the vital role of traditional agriculture in safeguarding biodiversity, addressing climate change, and sustaining rural livelihoods. Through its contributions to pivotal COP discussions in Colombia, Riyadh, and Azerbaijan, strengthened collaborations with UN agencies, and landmark gatherings in China and Spain, GIAHS highlighted how agricultural heritage connects culture, communities, and nature. These achievements underscore the power of traditional knowledge and innovation in creating solutions for the world’s most urgent environmental and social challenges.  

Carp pond farming in the Waldviertel region of Lower Austria is a unique aquaculture system with a 900-year history  ©Florian Kainz   

The designation of three new GIAHS systems: Sao Tome and Principe’s cacao-based agroforestry system demonstrated the harmony between biodiversity conservation and sustainable livelihoods. Indonesia’s salak agroforestry system in Bali stood out as a model of sustainable farming integrated with community-based tourism. Meanwhile, Austria’s traditional carp pond farming system in Waldviertel showcased the balance between aquaculture and agriculture, preserving ecosystems while supporting rural development. These designations, accompanied by robust Dynamic Conservation Action Plans, underline the commitment of GIAHS communities to protect their agricultural heritage while adapting to modern challenges. 

With a renewed Scientific Advisory Group (SAG), significant efforts were made to review additional nominations, update the guidelines, and lay the groundwork for monitoring, ensuring the continuous evolution and relevance of the programme. 

From left to right: Catherine Tucker (Vice Chair of the SAG), Tiziano Tempesta, José María García Coque (Chair of the SAG), Agnes Wakesho Mwangómbe, Aïcha Bammoun, Tania Eulalia Martinez-Cruz, Norma Ruz Varas, and Jiao Wenjun. Ali Kiani Rad participated virtually

Beyond these new designations, GIAHS made its presence felt on the global stage, contributing to pivotal climate and biodiversity discussions. At COP16 on Desertification, the programme showcased desert oases as living examples of adaptation, where centuries-old water management practices have mitigated the impacts of desertification while sustaining local cultures. During COP29 on Climate Change, GIAHS emphasized how fisheries-linked agricultural systems, like integrated rice-fish farming, can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance biodiversity. At COP16 on Biodiversity, Colombia’s progress toward its first GIAHS designation highlighted the programme’s role in bridging biodiversity conservation and rural development. 

At the 176th Session of the FAO Council, FAO Director-General QU Dongyu highlighted the flagship GIAHS Programme as an example of how FAO is "moving from vision to action" in transforming agrifood systems. The programme exemplifies efforts to create “a better environment and a better life—leaving no one behind.” 

Additionally, in early December Director-General QU Dongyu visited the Thale Noi Wetland Buffalo Pastoral Agro-Eco-System in southern Thailand, the first site in the country to be designated as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS). Recognized under the FAO programme in 2022, it is a place where communities have found a balance between livelihoods and taking care of the environment.   

Director-General QU Dongyu today visited the Thale Noi Wetland Buffalo Pastoral Agro-Eco-System in southern Thailand ©Phatthalung Provincial Public Relations Office

The importance of collaboration and shared learning was evident in two major workshops held during the year. In November, China hosted the GIAHS Global Gathering under FAO’s South-South and Triangular Cooperation Programme. This high-level meeting brought together representatives from 20 countries to exchange lessons learned and explore best practices.  Similarly, the Mediterranean Meeting on GIAHS, held in Alicante in October, brought together 12 systems from Spain and North Africa. The workshop addressed shared challenges like climate change and the outmigration of younger generations, emphasizing the need for institutional support, sustainable tourism, and long-term investments. 

China hosts historic global gathering on agricultural heritage through FAO’s South-South and Triangular Cooperation

Additionally, at the United Nations’ First Conference on Tourism for Rural Development in Viet Nam, GIAHS demonstrated how sustainable tourism can support rural livelihoods while preserving agricultural heritage. Examples from Italy, China, and Chile highlighted the integration of agrotourism with local cultures, offering innovative approaches to resilience and economic development. 

Speakers at the 1st United Nations Tourism Conference on Tourism for Rural Development in Hoi An, Viet Nam (10-11 December 2024), highlighting the role of sustainable tourism in promoting rural development and agricultural heritage

GIAHS also strengthened its collaboration with other UN agencies through strategic initiatives. A partnership with ICCROM advanced the development of global monitoring indicators by drawing on best practices from UNESCO, while the joint work with the United Nations University revisited the GIAHS concept to align it with evolving international frameworks. Additionally, the programme launched efforts to create a guide for integrating sustainable tourism into GIAHS systems, helping communities diversify income sources while preserving their cultural heritage, in partnership with UN Tourism. 

 Knowledge exchange continued through online workshops, which expanded GIAHS’s reach to global audiences. A virtual seminar in April: Sustainable production and agrifood systems based on GIAHS approaches showcased sustainable agricultural practices from Austria, Tunisia, Japan, and Ecuador, highlighting the critical role of heritage agriculture in providing practical solutions to contemporary global challenges. In September, a hybrid workshop in Italy explored how traditional knowledge combined with innovation, featuring experiences from countries such as Philippines, Bangladesh, Brazil, and Spain. 

Workshop on Traditional Knowledge and Innovation in GIAHS

Looking ahead to 2025, GIAHS is preparing for a year filled with impactful initiatives. Planned actions include developing global monitoring indicators, introducing sustainable tourism guidelines, celebrating FAO’s 80th anniversary with the launch of the FAO Food and Agriculture Museum and Network, and hosting the GIAHS Award Ceremony. These forward-looking efforts reinforce GIAHS’s dedication to dynamic conservation and its role in fostering global action for a sustainable future.

What is GIAHS? 

The Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) Programme, launched by FAO in 2002, is a flagship initiative under the Office of Climate Change, Biodiversity, and Environment. It recognizes and supports traditional agricultural systems that combine biodiversity conservation, cultural heritage, resilient ecosystems, and sustainable livelihoods. With 89 systems across 28 countries, GIAHS exemplifies FAO's commitment to transforming agrifood systems by integrating traditional knowledge with innovative practices to address global challenges like climate change, biodiversity loss, and rural poverty.