Last Wednesday 2nd December, the Anniversary of the GIAHS Designation of the Historical Irrigation System in L’Horta de València was celebrated. One year ago, the list of Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS), managed by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), included it as the fourth Spanish site listed for its priceless value.
The virtual event, organised by the Cátedra Tierra Ciudadana of the Universidad Politécnica de València (UPV), began with the participation of the Mayor Joan Ribó and Marta Cimas, Deputy Director General of International Relations and Community Affairs of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPA).
Then the panel consisting of Santos Ruiz, Do Arròs; Raúl Jiménez, Managing Director of the Andalusian Agency for Agriculture and Fisheries Management; Eva Sanchis, Mayor of Godella; and Emiliano García, Councillor for Tourism of the City Council of València, reflected and exchanged ideas on how the GIAHS Designation can bring notoriety and the opportunity provided by giving visibility to international recognition.
Lastly, the moderator José Ma Ga Álvarez-Coque, Director of the Cátedra Tierra Ciudadana of the UPV, gave the floor to commentator Celia Puzzo, of the GIAHS secretariat, FAO, and Alejandro Ramón, Councillor for Agriculture of the City Council of València. The event ended with the participation of Mireia Mollà, Minister for Agriculture, Rural Development, Climate Emergency and Ecological Transition of the Generalitat Valenciana