A Geographical Indication (GI) is a sign used on goods that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin.
GIs serve as useful tools for incentivizing sustainable consumption and production by informing consumers on specific features of products and production systems. A successful GI can prevent the delocalization of production, create jobs, boost local development and contribute to safe, diversified and healthy diets – thanks to the preservation of traditional food products, biodiversity and the environment.
FAO has developed or contributed to the development of several tools and materials on this topic:
Tools and publications
Interventions and projects
- Capacity building and technical support for the development of geographical indications, including normative frameworks, within the framework of the project “Appui au développement des indications géographiques pour des systèmes alimentaires durables” (GCP/GLO/104/FRA)
- “Acquisition of intellectual property rights utilizing GIs for selected crops” (TCP/ANT/3702)
- “Gestión sostenible de la agrobiodiversidad y recuperación de ecosistemas vulnerables en la región Andina del Perú a través del Enfoque de Sistemas Importantes del Patrimonio Agrícola Mundial (SIPAM)” (GCP/PER/045/GFF)