The second edition of the International Conference “Worldwide Perspectives on Geographical Indications (GIs)” was held from 18 to 21 February 2025 at the headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Rome, a large-scale event organized by FAO in cooperation with prestigious international institutions. The event brought together over 350 participants from 52 countries, including the Republic of Moldova.

The central theme of the event was “Innovations for Sustainability”, emphasizing the importance of improving the performance of GI protection systems from the perspective of economic, social and environmental sustainability, and also of their ability to adapt to various changes, while maintaining the traditions and know-how specific to each region or culture.

During the opening ceremony, FAO Director-General QU Dongyu emphasized the importance of GIs in making agri-food systems more efficient, more inclusive, more resilient and more sustainable, and enabling farmers to “produce more with less”. The significant increase in the number of GI products globally, with over 9,450 certified and protected products, was also noted.

The Republic of Moldova was represented by Natalia Mogol, Deputy Director General of the State Agency on Intellectual Property (AGEPI), who presented our country’s experience in the field of protection and valorization of traditional products, emphasizing the importance of geographical indications for preserving cultural identity and promoting the authenticity of Moldovan products. The event provided an important platform for the exchange of good practices, and the presentation of the Republic of Moldova highlighted how GIs can contribute not only to the protection of heritage, but also to the development of the local economy.

A field visit to the Mozzarella di Bufala Campana Consortium was also organized during the event. The participants had the opportunity to learn about the experience of the Italian Association in the protection and valorization of the appellation of origin, as well as to observe the traditional process of manufacturing this regional product. This experience provided a practical perspective on how geographical indications contribute to the protection of the culinary heritage and the economic development of the producing regions.

The conference provided a valuable opportunity for the exchange of experience and the identification of good practices. The participation of the Republic of Moldova in this event reconfirmed the commitment of our country in the promotion and protection of products with geographical indication, thus contributing to the stimulation of the sustainable development of traditional local products.