We, Origen España, the Spanish Association of Geographical Indications, and oriGIn, the Global Alliance of Geographical Indications,
Having convened in Alicante, on 5 and 6 November 2026, with the support of the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), the first international conference dedicated to cooperation projects in the field of Geographical Indications;
Having brought together some 600 participants, including representatives of multilateral and bilateral donors, project beneficiaries, Geographical Indication producer groups and research institutions;
Recognizing that, after twenty years of international cooperation in the field of Geographical Indications, supported by multilateral and bilateral donors, the time has come to take stock of the activities undertaken and the results achieved;
Convinced that Geographical Indications hold tremendous potential for the sustainable development of local communities worldwide;
Mindful that the international landscape is changing rapidly, shaped by pressing sustainability challenges, the pervasive role of technology, and attempts to establish new forms of governance that call into question multilateralism and the rules-based trading system;
Hereby adopt the following Declaration:
1. We commend the multilateral and bilateral donors who, over the past twenty years, have supported the development of Geographical Indications around the world through projects aimed, among other objectives, at identifying quality products linked to their geographical origin, developing sound product specifications, strengthening legal frameworks, and securing the recognition of Geographical Indications. These efforts have clearly demonstrated the value of Geographical Indications as a driver of sustainable local development.
2. We call upon multilateral and bilateral donors to recognize that this changing international landscape demands a new phase of international cooperation in the field of Geographical Indications.
3. We urge that the new generation of cooperation projects give priority to the following needs of Geographical Indication beneficiaries in developing countries and emerging economies:
(a) establishing new Geographical Indication associations and strengthening existing ones;
(b) setting up credible and effective control systems;
(c) providing support for marketing, commercialization and market access; protection and enforcement; access to credit; sustainability; and the use of technology.
4. We encourage multilateral and bilateral donors to strengthen their coordination through regular meetings, and to involve Geographical Indication success stories more closely in the design and implementation of future cooperation projects.
Adopted in Alicante on 6 November 2026.
