The inscription of Italian cooking on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity was officially approved today in New Delhi.
During his mission to India, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Antonio Tajani, attended the 20th Session of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, marking the prestigious recognition of Italian cooking. “This achievement is the result of strong teamwork between institutions, associations, chefs and producers, made possible also thanks to the constant work of our Embassies and Consulates worldwide,” highlighted the Minister.
Proposed by the Collegio Culinario – Cultural Association for Italian Food and Wine, in collaboration with Casa Artusi, the Accademia della Cucina Italiana, and the magazine La Cucina Italiana, the inscription of Italian cooking on the UNESCO list underscores the importance of Italian excellence in culture, economic growth, innovation and sustainability.
In 2024, Italian agri-food exports reached a record EUR 68 billion, growing by over 8%. In the first eight months of 2025, they recorded a further increase of 6%, highlighting a rising global demand for Italian products.
