During his mission to India, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Antonio Tajani, will take part tomorrow, 10 December, in the session examining the nomination "Italian cooking, between sustainability and biocultural diversity" for inclusion on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Submitted by the Collegio Culinario - Cultural Association for Italian Food and Wine, in cooperation with Casa Artusi, the Accademia della Cucina Italiana and the magazine La Cucina Italiana, the nomination seeks to promote the principles and values characteristic of Italy's culinary tradition, such as the fight against food waste and the reduction in the consumption of natural resources.

UNESCO has to date recognised 788 elements of Intangible Cultural Heritage in 150 countries worldwide. Italy currently has 19 elements inscribed on the Representative List, in addition to one element included in the Register of Good Safeguarding Practices.

Italian cuisine is regarded as inherently inclusive, transcending cultural and generational boundaries. Its commitment to principles such as the prevention of food waste and the reduction of resource consumption also makes it a model of environmental sustainability. A positive decision by UNESCO would further acknowledge the expertise and international reach of Italy's agri-food sector, whose enterprises act as true ambassadors not only of Italian gastronomy but also of Italian society throughout the world.