The Registration of Iran’s Qanat Irrigated Agriculture as an FAO Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS)

A Ceremony to bestow the Registration of Iran’s Qanat Irrigated Agriculture as an FAO Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS) was held on 24 June 2014, in Tehran. The gathering which brought together senior officials from the Ministry of Agriculture of the I.R of Iran, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and UN Offices in Iran marked the historic and contemporary importance of Qanat systems. During this event, the Head of UNESCO Office in Iran, Mr H. Purkait handed a congratulation certificate to the Honorable Minister of Jihad-e- Agriculture of the Islamic Republic of Iran, His Excellency Mr Hojat, AVA Diplomatic reports.The Representative of FAO in Iran, Mr Serge Nakouzi, described the value of the Qanat Irrigation as a ‘unique and integrative system which illustrates the use of indigenous knowledge and wisdom in the sustainable management of land, water, and agricultural biodiversity’. The UN Resident Coordinator in the I.R of Iran, Mr Gary Lewis, highlighted two important aspects that make Qanats relevant to our time: high water use efficiency and energy efficiency.

After congratulating the Honorable Minister of Agriculture, the Head of UNESCO Office in Tehran, Mr Purkait stated that new technologies can be combined with Qanats to make them more functional and relevant to modern human lifestyles. Furthermore, Mr Purkait highlighted UNESCO’s contribution and support towards the Iran Qanat system through the creation of the International Centre on Qanats and Historic Hydraulic Structures (ICQHHS) in Yazd as a category II Institute of UNESCO, since 2005.

The ceremony was concluded by remarks of Mr Hojjati, Minister of Jihad-e-Agriculture of the I.R of Iran and the GIAHS certificate was bestowed upon His Excellency Mr Hojati, Honorable Minister for Jihad-e-Agriculture by the FAO Representative, Mr Nakouzi.