2018 World Food Law Symposium

The World Food Law Institute, in cooperation with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the American Society of International Law (ASIL), invites you to participate in the 2018 World Food Law Symposium on 31 May 2018. The Symposium will conclude the Institute’s 2017-2018 Geographical Indications Round Table Series by continuing discussions and developing previous analyses about the legal, policy, cultural and community development aspects of geographical indications.

Join experts from the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), FAO, governments, Embassies, the private and public sectors, and academia for an overview of GIs, their costs and benefits, as well as their possibilities for local development.

The morning will begin with a presentation by the GIs expert at the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), who will discuss recent developments and the 2015 Geneva Act of the Lisbon Agreement on Appellations of Origin and Geographical Indications. Then the lead will shift to FAO experts, who will introduce a new FAO report - “Strengthening sustainable food systems through geographical indications: An analysis of economic impacts”. The Report is a significant contribution to our understanding of the costs and benefits of Gis and their role in development. It concludes with case studies from Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and the United States. After a networking coffee break, the Report will be discussed by a Panel.

The morning will conclude with a Geographical Indications Luncheon, which will feature several GI and traditional foods.

The afternoon will feature two Panels featuring case studies. The first Panel will consider Case Studies of Geographical Indications. The second Panel will consider Case Studies of US Foods and Origin. The two will present opportunities to consider local foods with their culture and traditions.

The Symposium will conclude with Remarks followed by a Networking Reception.

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