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HOME > International Forum on Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS)
International Forum on Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems
About the Forum
1.Organizers: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan, Ishikawa Prefectural Government, Noto Regional Association for GIAHS Promotion and Cooperation
2.Co-organizer:Sado City
3.Dates: Wednesday, 29th May – Saturday, 1st June of 2013
4.Venue: Aenokaze Hotel in Wakura Hot Spring, Nanao City, Ishikawa Prefecture
5.Participants: Officials and representatives of International organizations, GIAHS sites, government officials of Japan and related countries, local governments officials, researchers, civilians and other. Approximately 600 participants in total of which 100 international participants came from 20 different countries.
6.Agenda
DAY 1 / Wednesday, 29th May
9:30 – 12:30 Presentation of GIAHS Candidate Sites to the Steering / Scientific Committee
14:00 – 18:00 Parallel Sessions (Special Topics and Country Presentations)
DAY 2 / Thursday, 30th May
12:00 – 12:30 GIAHS Site Designation Ceremony and Awarding of Certificates
DAY 3 / Friday, 31st May
DAY 4 / Saturday, 1st June
Summary
1.Designation of new GIAHS sites
As newly designated GIAHS sites, 6 candidate sites out of 7 were chosen and from Japan, Kakegawa (Shizuoka prefecture), Aso (Kumamoto prefecture) and Kunisaki (Oita prefecture) were chosen. Upon completion of the Forum, the designated sites now totals to 25 sites from 11 different countries.
New GIAHS sites
2.High Level Session
Representing the organizers, Dr. Graziano da Silva (Director-General of FAO), Mr. Kajiya (Senior Vice-Minister of MAFF) and Governor Tanimoto gave opening and welcome remarks. Mr. Kajiya stated that he will actively contribute to disseminating and further improving the value of GIAHS. During the panel discussions, 4 country representatives of the existing GIAHS sites (Japan, China, Chile, Peru) and 5 representatives of international organizations (FAO, others) have exchanged ideas on the topic of "Contribution of GIAHS toward a sustainable world".
3.Ishikawa Public Forum
Following Dr. Graziano da Silva’s keynote address on the significance of GIAHS, Governor Tanimoto in his presentation, introduced Ishikawa’s efforts to preserve Noto’s GIAHS site and Noto Smart Drive Project as well as to add words in regards to the expansion of designated area to include Hodatsushimizu town and internal cooperation henceforth. Mr. Kodaira (Executive Vice President of Toyota Motors) gave special remarks, followed by panel discussion which raised active exchange of ideas on local revitalization lead from GIAHS.
Speakers of the panel discussion:
Moderator: Mr. Hiroki Ose, NHK News Commentator, President of Japan Agricultural Journalists’ Association Assistant Moderator: Ms. Minako Nakano, Freelance TV announcer Panelists:
4.Field Visit to Noto GIAHS site
In farm hostel "Shunran no Sato" in Noto town, Dr. Graziano da Silva along with FAO representatives, Prof. Takeuchi Senior Vice-Rector of UNU, Governor Tanimoto and Prof. Anne McDonald of Sophia University participated in a round-table discussion with active farmers from Noto area. After explanation of current agriculture and fisheries’ conditions and efforts made in Noto, changes and impact of GIAHS designation were discussed as well as ideas shared on what farmers claim to the government as support measures.
Agriculture practitioner of Noto area who participated in the round-table discussion
5.GIAHS site Excursions
In the purpose to provide the participants the feel of GIAHS designated Noto and Sado’s fascination, a total of 6 excursions (5 Noto courses and 1 Sado course) were held with attendance of 140 participants of which 70 came from abroad. From rice planting and salt manufacturing experience, to viewing of traditional craft manufacturing process of Wajima lacquerware and Noto’s high quality hemp fabrics (Noto Jofu), and environment friendly agriculture and oyster farming, the participants deepened their understanding of the resources obtained in the local area as well as the local efforts.
6.Noto Communique
As an accomplishment of the Forum, the Noto Communique supported by the below statements was presented and adopted.
Please view the below for more reference.
[Reference]
International Forum on Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems - Programme –
Press Release 29th May, 2013 "Kakegawa (Shizuoka), Aso (Kumamoto) and Kunisaki (Oita) designated as GIAHS sites" (Only in Japanese) http://www.maff.go.jp/j/press/nousin/kantai/130529.html
Noto Communique on Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems
Noto Communique on Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (Provisional Translation in Japanese)
What is the purpose of the GIAHS Forum?
FAO’s GIAHS was established in 2002, to pass on the globally important agricultural heritage systems, which includes traditional agriculture and associated biodiversity, landscape, knowledge systems and cultures, to future generations. In June 2011, Noto, Ishikawa Prefecture (Noto’s Satoyama and Satoumi) and Sado, Niigata Prefecture (Sado’s Satoyama with Ibis) were designated as GIAHS.
About the Local Executive Committee
The Local Executive Committee comprises UNU, MAFF, Ishikawa Prefectural Government, 4 cities and 4 towns of the Noto GIAHS site, agricultural organizations, tourism organizations and scholars, working collaboratively with each other in support for the hosting of the GIAHS Forum. The committee was found in January of 2013.
<Members of the Local Executive Committee for the GIAHS Forum>
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