‘A gesture of love’: Italy’s cuisine joins UNESCO’s cultural heritage list

In December 2025, UNESCO recognized Italian cuisine as an "intangible cultural heritage," a designation Italy hopes will boost its global prestige and tourism. The decision, made by a UNESCO cultural panel in New Delhi, acknowledged Italian cuisine as a social ritual that unites families and communities. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni stated that this recognition honors Italian identity, culture, tradition, work, and wealth. The UNESCO citation focused on the importance of everyday food rituals in Italy, such as Sunday lunches and intergenerational knowledge transfer, rather than specific dishes. Italy initiated the process for this recognition in 2023.