Fifth regional consultation on Geographical Indications (GIs) in Europe and Central Asia

Geographical Indications (GIs) play a vital role in promoting rural development by increasing the value of local products, preserving traditional knowledge, and generating economic opportunities for rural communities.
Since 2017, FAO has organized a series of Regional Consultations on Geographical Indications (GIs), providing a platform to exchange experiences, strengthen institutional capacities, and promote regional cooperation.

In response to the interest expressed by experts and country representatives, FAO is convening the Fifth Regional Consultation on Geographical Indications (GIs), with a dedicated focus on economic, environmental, and social sustainability of GI systems. This upcoming consultation aims to build on past discussions and expand the dialogue around sustainability, aligning with new developments such as the recent FAO–oriGIn publication: "On Developing a Roadmap Towards Increased Sustainability in Geographical Indications Systems."

The event will provide a platform to explore practical approaches for governments and GI producer groups to assess, monitor, and enhance sustainability performance, and to support the integration of GI-specific considerations into broader public policies. To foster a more global perspective and enrich the regional dialogue, the consultation will also welcome experts from outside the region, including representatives from Latin America, to share experiences, insights, and challenges related to the sustainability of GI systems in different contexts.

Welcome and opening

• Raimund Jehle, FAO Regional Program Leader for Europe and Central Asia
• Peter Gál, Head of Department, Department of Wine, Geographical Indications and Agricultural Marketing, Vine - Wine and Geographical Indications Unit, Ministry of Agriculture, Hungary
• Dmitry Zvyagintsev, FAO Policy Officer