UNESCO recognized Italian cooking as an "intangible cultural heritage" on Wednesday (December 10), and industry groups believe this formal acknowledgement of the popular cuisine will boost tourism.

Launched in March 2023 by Italy’s agriculture and culture ministries, the bid casts Italian cuisine - from pasta and pizza to risotto and cannoli - as a social ritual that binds families and communities together.

Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, welcomed UNESCO’s decision to add Italian cuisine to its list of intangible cultural heritage, calling the move a recognition of the country’s identity and its global influence.

“Today we celebrate an achievement that belongs to Italy but that enriches humanity as a whole. Thank you all. Long live Italian cuisine” she said in a pre-recorded statement.

The 20th Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) session is being held at the 17th-century Red Fort in Indian capital Delhi and recent additions to the list include the Hindu festival of Diwali and its traditions, and the swimming pool culture in Iceland.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

MEMBERS OF INTERGOVERNMENTAL COMMITTEE FOR SAFEGUARDING OF INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE SITTING / SOUNDBITE FROM CHAIRPERSON, UNESCO INTERGOVERNMENTAL COMMITTEE FOR SAFEGUARDING OF INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE, VISHAL SHARMA, AND BY ITALIAN PRIME MINISTER GIORGIA MELONI / CHEF PREPARING PASTA ALLA CARBONARA / PEOPLE EATING ITALIAN FOOD

RESENDING WITH FULL SCRIPT

SHOWS: NEW DELHI, INDIA (DECEMBER 10, 2025) (UNESCO - Must on screen courtesy UNESCO)

1. (SOUNDBITE) (English) CHAIRPERSON, UNESCO INTERGOVERNMENTAL COMMITTEE FOR SAFEGUARDING OF INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE, VISHAL SHARMA, SAYING:

“I therefore, declare the decision 20 COM 7.b.27 as adopted.”

2. ITALIAN DELEGATES CLAPPING

ROME, ITALY (RELEASED ON DECEMBER 10, 2025) (ITALIAN PRIME MINISTRY HANDOUT - Access all)

3. (SOUNDBITE) (English) ITALIAN PRIME MINISTER, GIORGIA MELONI, SAYING:

“Today we celebrate an achievement that belongs to Italy but that enriches humanity as a whole. Thank you all. Long live Italian cuisine.”

NEW DELHI, INDIA (DECEMBER 10, 2025) (UNESCO - Must on screen courtesy UNESCO)

4. ITALIAN DELEGATES HOLDING ITALIAN FLAG, CHEERING

ROME, ITALY (RECENT - DECEMBER 3, 2025) (REUTERS - Access all)

5. CHEF MIXING EGGS AND CHEESE

6. CHEF MIXING PASTA AND GUANCIALE (CURED PORK)

7. VARIOUS OF CHEF PLATING PASTA

8. WAITER SERVING CUSTOMERS AT TABLE

9. VARIOUS OF CUSTOMER EATING AT TABLE