Italy has become the first country in the world to receive UNESCO recognition for its national cuisine, marking a historic milestone for one of the globe’s most celebrated food traditions.
The announcement was made by the United Nations cultural body during its assembly in Delhi, where “Italian cooking, between sustainability and biocultural diversity” was officially inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
In its citation, UNESCO described Italian cuisine as “a cultural and social blend of culinary traditions” closely tied to the use of local raw materials and artisanal food preparation techniques. The UN organization emphasized the communal nature of Italian cooking, highlighting its focus on respect for ingredients, intimacy with food, and shared moments around the table.
UNESCO further noted that the practice is rooted in anti-waste recipes and the transmission of flavors, skills, and memories across generations, elements that reinforce both sustainability and cultural continuity.
A man in Naples, Italy, prepares a pizza ahead of UNESCO’s decision to recognize the nation’s cuisine as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. December 3, 2025. Photo: Reuters/Ciro De Luca
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni hailed the decision as a defining moment for the nation. “We are the first in the world to receive this recognition, which honors who we are and our identity,” she said. “For us Italians, cuisine is not just food or a collection of recipes. It is culture, tradition, work, and wealth.”
The recognition follows a three-year campaign launched by Italy’s Agriculture Ministry to safeguard the country’s culinary heritage and protect it from misuse and imitation.
Agriculture Minister Francesco Lollobrigida said the designation would serve as both a cultural safeguard and an economic tool. He noted it would help counter the exploitation of the “Made in Italy” brand while creating new opportunities for jobs and regional growth.
Italian officials expect the UNESCO listing to boost tourism by at least 8% over the next two years, generating an estimated 18 million additional overnight stays.
Meloni also highlighted the sector’s economic significance, noting that Italy currently exports 70 billion euros worth of agri-food products annually. “This recognition will give the Italian economy a decisive boost to reach new heights,” she said.
The Mediterranean Diet, rooted in traditional Greek eating habits from Crete and Southern Italy, was added to UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list in 2013.
Dining and Cooking