The International Institute of Gastronomy, Culture, Arts and Tourism (IGCAT) is proud to highlight that its 1st World Gastronomy Summit, hosted by Catalonia as World Region of Gastronomy 2025, served as a major platform for advancing gastronomy’s role in cultural policy. The Summit culminated in the adoption of the Declaration on Food at the Heart of Cultural Policy and Community Well-being, which was later formally delivered at MONDIACULT 2025 in Barcelona by IGCAT’s President and Vice President.
As an official side event of the Conference, IGCAT’s 1st World Gastronomy Summit convened global cultural leaders, policymakers, chefs, producers, and experts to champion the integration of food into cultural, agricultural, tourism, and education policies. Participants included representatives from UNESCO, Slow Food, Crop Trust, Future Food Institute, The Food Capitals by Délice Network, as well as chefs, producers, and civil society leaders.
The Declaration calls upon governments, international organisations, regional bodies, and civil society to:
- Recognising food as cultural heritage, and integrating it fully into cultural, agricultural, tourism, and education policies;
- Supporting local and regional initiatives that promote sustainable food systems grounded in evolving cultural traditions, promoting cuisine and its ingredients;
- Empowering youth and communities to preserve and innovate upon their gastronomic heritage with pride, investing in producers and protecting regions’ ways of life;
- Encouraging research and storytelling that document and celebrate food traditions across the globe;
- Fostering inclusive dialogue that bridges cultures and generations through the shared language of food.
“Food is not just fuel – it is our culture, our roots, and our shared identity,” said Dr. Diane Dodd, IGCAT President. “Recognising gastronomy as an essential part of cultural policy is key to shaping inclusive, creative, and sustainable futures for all communities.”
The Declaration, adopted during Catalonia’s tenure as World Region of Gastronomy 2025, highlights the critical role of gastronomy in safeguarding cultural diversity, promoting sustainable development, and fostering social cohesion. Inspired by UNESCO’s leadership in recognising foodways as part of the world’s Intangible Cultural Heritage, it marks a milestone in a growing global movement to place food at the centre of cultural policy and community well-being.
Through its leadership, IGCAT continues to demonstrate that food and culture are inseparable pillars for building a more equitable, resilient, and culturally rich world. The presentation of the Declaration at MONDIACULT 2025 ensures that gastronomy’s voice is central to the global dialogue on culture, sustainability, and community well-being.
About the World/European Regions of Gastronomy
World/European Regions of Gastronomy, guided by IGCAT, are working together to strengthen food security through the celebration of distinctive food cultures; create employment by stimulating creativity and gastronomic innovation; nourish children and adults through culinary and cultural education; driving environmental sustainability in tourism, hospitality and agricultural sectors; supporting balance and sustainable tourism practices; highlighting and supporting expertise from within rural and urban communities, creating connections and sharing good practices; and contributing to community health and well-being.
About IGCAT
IGCAT aims to empower local communities by raising awareness of the importance of protecting and promoting distinct regional food, culture, arts and natural assets as part of sustainable and balanced tourism and development strategies. This is essential to safeguarding our planet, health, wellness and local economies.
IGCAT is a non-profit institute established in 2012, working with regional stakeholder consortiums in the fields of gastronomy, culture, arts and tourism. It counts on the expertise of a worldwide network of experts and works in partnership with specialised intergovernmental organisations.
IGCAT founded the World/European Region of Gastronomy Award and is the official secretariat for the World Regions of Gastronomy and European Regions of Gastronomy Platforms. Furthermore, the Institute has developed the European Young Chef Award, the World Food Gift Challenge, the Top Foodie Websites Award and the international Food Film Menu.
