Clelia Puzzo, Programme Specialist from the GIAHS Secretariat, highlighted the relevance of the GIAHS approach for the European Regions and Cities through rural development actions, promotion of territorial food systems, and transmission of traditional knowledge, and connecting heritage values with sustainability and innovation.

On the margins of the European Summit for Regions and Cities held in Mons, FAO Brussels organized a roundtable discussion to showcase three of FAO’s key initiatives for local and regional development: the Digital Villages Initiative for Europe and Central Asia (DVI), the Green Cities Initiative (GCI), and the Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS).    

Designed to foster the transformation of agrifood systems, these initiatives emphasize digital, green, and traditional agricultural approaches at the local and regional levels. Representatives from various European regions and regional and city networks showed strong interest and actively contributed to the roundtable discussion sharing best practices and experiences on progress for local and regional development.  

In addition to this event and on invitation of the European Summit for Regions and Cities organizers, FAO Brussels set up a stand at the Summit Festival, thus providing a prime platform to disseminate information about the three initiatives to various local governments and regional representatives.

About GIAHS

FAO’s Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) programme helps identify ways to mitigate threats faced by farmers and enhance the benefits derived from these systems.

Vital to achieving food and livelihood security, 86 sites in 26 countries have now been officially recognized as Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS), dynamic spaces where culture, biodiversity and sustainable agricultural techniques coexist.

Related information

FAO showcases key initiatives for local and regional development in Mons