10/06/2022 Beijing/Ya'an- The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations Representation in China and the Delegation of the European Union (EU) to China jointly organized a webinar on Geographical Indications (GIs) promoting sustainable rural development.

The webinar on GIs: Toward Sustainable Rural Development aims to: a) explore and discuss the potential role of GIs in rural revitalization and sustainable rural development; b) share the experiences on policy and practices of GIs for sustainable rural development in China and EU; c) provide capacity development to the leaders of farmer's cooperatives at the Mengdingshan Farmer's Cooperative Development and Training Institute in Sichuan.

Representatives from FAO, EU Delegation to China, China Foundation for Poverty Alleviation (CFPA), China Agricultural University, National Institute of Origin and Quality of France, Italian Federation of Designation of Origin Wines, and Sichuan Mengdingshan Farmer's Cooperative Development and Training Institute took part and presented at the webinar.

"The promotion of linkages between local producers, their local areas and their food products through GIs is recognized as a pathway to nutritious food systems and sustainable development for rural communities throughout the world," said Carlos Watson, FAO representative to China.

"Many GIs are produced in rural areas, often poor and threatened by de-population. This can ensure that the jobs stay where they are, and therefore they have a positive impact on regional employment, rural tourism, sustainability, and on the overall economy," said John Clarke, Director, European Commission Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development.

"The GIs played an important role during the poverty alleviation in China. GIs could help boost the development of agricultural industry in one place, and increase the income of farmer households in that place," said Ding Yadong, Deputy Executive Director of China Foundation for Poverty Alleviation, President of Mengdingshan Farmer's Cooperative Development and Training Institute.

Farmer's cooperative leader of Mengdingshan Farmer's Cooperative Development and Training Institute in Sichuan also attended this webinar onsite in Sichuan.

FAO has observed that GIs value chains could generate new jobs and services in rural areas, contribute to increased rural income, and slow down out-migration among rural populations. By using GIs, farmers can better compete on price, quality and accessing new markets and build brand recognition and attractiveness to tourists.

EU and China signed EU-China Landmark Geographical Indications Agreement on 1 March 2021. According to the agreement, in the first mutually recognized GI list, each side has 100 GIs under protection,, involving food, drinks and agricultural products. The second GI list, consisting of 175 GIs from each side, is set to go through protection procedures by March 2025.

Both China and the EU host rich experience and best practices in GIs. FAO China will work closely with all partners by facilitating exchange to better unleash the potential of GIs to promote rural revitalization and sustainable development, for the transformation to more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agri-food system.

Webinar in Chinese:
https://pan.baidu.com/s/1C4fSR3ClO5YOjZIwPAQWkw password: 8q4n

Webinar in English:
https://pan.baidu.com/s/1ETJ6gSi0iISQYCBkxTpPTA password: 990l