The second Conference on Global Perspectives on Geographical Indications opened yesterday at FAO’s headquarters in Rome, with speeches from Italy’s Minister of Agriculture, Francesco Lollobrigida, and FAO Director-General QU Dongyu. The event, running until February 21, is organized by FAO and the Italian Ministry of Agriculture in collaboration with Origin Italia, the Qualivita Foundation, and oriGIn associations.
Bringing together 500 participants from 55 countries, the conference focuses on the state of international cooperation in Geographical Indications (GIs), which have grown significantly worldwide—from around 4,000 in 1994 to more than 16,500 in 2025. The global distribution includes 4,051 GIs in Europe, 7,000 in China, 4,050 across the rest of Asia, 497 in South America, 429 in Oceania, and 210 in Africa. Italy leads the sector with over 890 GI-certified supply chains.
Minister Lollobrigida highlighted Italy’s success in leveraging GIs to ensure a fairer value distribution across local economies, thanks to the coordinated efforts of protection consortia, supply chains, institutions, and research centers.
Following the institutional addresses, a high-level panel, moderated by oriGIn President Riccardo Deserti, explored the latest global trends in Geographical Indications. Leading experts from international institutions and key industries discussed the role of GIs in economic development, sustainability, and territorial value enhancement.
Cesare Baldrighi, President of Origin Italia, underscored the vital role of protection consortia in developing GI-certified supply chains, citing Italy’s success stories. He emphasized their role in ensuring quality and sustainable growth while strengthening the link between products and their territories. Meanwhile, Cesare Mazzetti, President of the Qualivita Foundation, highlighted the cultural significance of GIs in Italy and the need for expanded scientific research to safeguard and enhance their future.
