The International Institute of Gastronomy, Culture, Arts and Tourism (IGCAT) is pleased to announce the publication of the official report from the 1st World Gastronomy Summit, held on 27 September 2025 in Catalonia, Spain. The Summit, hosted by the Government of Catalonia as part of its World Region of Gastronomy 2025 designation, marked a historic milestone by placing food at the heart of cultural policy, community well-being, and sustainable development.
The 1st World Gastronomy Summit marked a historic milestone as one of the first global forums to explicitly place food at the center of cultural and policy agendas. The event brought together over 160 influential leaders, including representatives from UNESCO, Slow Food, Crop Trust, governments, policymakers, and international organizations, to collectively redefine food’s role in society.
A defining outcome of the Summit was the Declaration on Food at the Heart of Cultural Policy and Community Well-being, which was formally presented at MONDIACULT 2025. This declaration underscores food’s transformative power in fostering cultural identity, social cohesion, and environmental stewardship, setting a new standard for how food systems can drive sustainable development worldwide.
The report’s release underscores:
- A global shift in policy: The Declaration is now a reference document for governments and organizations aiming to align food systems with cultural and sustainability goals.
- Actionable insights: The Summit’s discussions and commitments provide a roadmap for regions, cities, and organizations to integrate gastronomy into education, tourism, agriculture, and urban planning.
- A call to collective action: With the 2nd World Gastronomy Summit (Manabí, Ecuador, 2026) focusing on youth empowerment, this report sets the stage for future-focused solutions in gastronomy and sustainability.
The full report is now available for download here.
About IGCAT
International Institute of Gastronomy, Culture, Arts and Tourism (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 and the international Food Film Menu.
