Fourth Regional Consultation on Geographical Indications

Geographical indications (GI) are an important tool for rural development and to ensure all three dimensions of sustainability (economic, environmental, and social). With this in mind, FAO supports an informal technical network in Europe and Central Asia in promoting quality products linked to geographical origin and geographical indication, as part of the FAO Regional Initiative on improving agrifood trade and market integration. On 11 December 2023, FAO convenes virtually the fourth Regional consultation on geographical indications with participation from countries of Europe and Central Asia, national intellectual property offices, non-governmental organizations, experts, and international organizations, including the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), the European Union, OriGIn, French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development (CIRAD), and Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation (REDD). 

Further support to GI development in the Region would benefit from a comprehensive consultation event on the current situation, both for the countries in the field and in terms of available tools to support their actions. This consultation will therefore review existing knowledge on key topics, such as sustainability, geographical indication request and certification, and will share experience and discuss national perspectives through country-specific panel discussions.

The specific objectives of the consultation are:

• Analyse the current situation of geographical indication in countries of Europe and Central Asia, using baseline studies, and considering their GI system and types of registered GI products as well their relationship with the European Union (length of EU membership or other status, including EU neighborhood countries, Central Asia, and approximation applicant countries in Southeast Europe).
• Evaluate existing studies, reviews, assessments, and similar documents on the contribution of geographical indications to agrifood systems sustainability, in country-focused panel discussions.
• Inform FAO on GI regional policy priority areas and how to effectively organize technical assistance to geographical indications in the individual countries.

 

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