Thanks to the kind invitation of the Director of the Slovenian Intellectual Property Office, Mrs Karin Žvokelj, the representative of the Office participated at the International conference on geographical indications and collective trademarks – tradition, quality and identity for the sustainable competitiveness, held in Ljubljana, on November 25 and 26, 2024.
Among the participants of the conference there were representatives of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), European Commission, ministries in the domain of economy and agriculture of the Republic of Slovenia, associations of the producers of products with geographical indication of origin from the EU member states and others.
The representative of the Office took part in the panel discussion on the first day of the conference on the topic “Role of non-agricultural indications of geographical origin in the promotion of tourism and local culture” moderated by Virag Halgand, head of the Section for Central European, Baltic and Mediterranean States from the World Intellectual Property Organization. On that occasion, apart from the experiences of Portugal, Check Republic, France and Slovenia, Serbian home made products were also presented providing they are protected by geographical indications on the national and international level: Kilim from Pirot, Zlakusa, Sirogojno, Damask from Bezdan, and Towels from the region of Šaba and their role in the promotion of tourism and local culture.
Very important conclusions and messages from the conference, apart from others, are the following:
- indications of geographical origin, through guarantees of origin and quality of product, influence the increase of trust felt by the consumers;
- indications of geographical origin inspire local and regional development and increase visibility of local communities;
- for the preservation and promotion of products with geographical origin, and thus cultural heritage, partnership of public institutions and private subjects is important;
- promotion and visibility of these products through exhibitions and specially designed cultural tours contribute to the development of tourism and preservation of cultural heritage.
