In Alba, cradle of the White Truffle and a globally recognized hub of food and wine culture, the Fair Authority will sign a three-year Memorandum of Understanding with UNITAR – the United Nations Institute for Training and Research – launching an alliance that rises from local roots to become a global reference point, outlining new pathways toward sustainable development.
The signing, scheduled for October 10 during the opening of the 95th edition of the International Alba White Truffle Fair, will feature Axel Iberti, President of the Fair Authority, and Alex Mejia, Director of UNITAR’s Division for People and Social Inclusion. This is not merely a formal act, but a shared vision: to open a direct channel of dialogue between the territory and the major challenges facing humanity – from biodiversity protection to food security, from educating future generations to cultural enhancement.
A Historic Step Toward New Forms of Cooperation Between Territories and the United Nations
The three-year Memorandum will be implemented through an Executive Protocol, translating the framework agreement into concrete projects, actions, and initiatives that benefit both the local area and the broader national and international community.
The Value of a Territory Already Recognized as World Heritage
This agreement strengthens a journey that has already brought global prestige to Alba and the Langhe region. Since 2014, the Vineyard Landscapes of Langhe-Roero and Monferrato have been recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and in 2017, Alba joined the UNESCO Creative Cities Network for Gastronomy. Now, with UNITAR, this cultural and environmental capital gains a new global dimension, projecting the White Truffle and its ecosystem into a framework of international cooperation and sustainable development.
Shared Areas of Work
The Executive Protocol, an integral part of the Memorandum, will define the areas of collaboration, including:
- Environmental and biodiversity protection, with the truffle ecosystem as a model of natural balance;
- Education and training for younger generations, to build shared skills and responsibilities;
- Food security and responsible consumption, recognizing food as a universal right and common heritage;
- Culture and heritage, with the Alba White Truffle Fair as a global ambassador of sustainable local development.
A Global Platform of Values
The Memorandum also reinforces adherence to the United Nations Global Compact principles – human rights, labor, environment, and anti-corruption – transforming them into guiding values for the entire truffle ecosystem.
The International Alba White Truffle Fair is no longer just a celebration of culture and taste: it is a global platform for dialogue and cooperation, capable of elevating a territory already recognized as World Heritage and projecting it toward new forms of cultural and economic diplomacy.
An agreement that transforms the traditions of the Langhe into a universal heritage of values, where culture, sustainability, and cooperation merge into a shared journey that shapes the present and entrusts future generations with a legacy of shared values.