Mexico celebrates 15 years of its gastronomy as a World Heritage Site at the 10th World Forum in Morelos

Within the framework of the 15th anniversary of the recognition of traditional Mexican cuisine as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO, the Ministry of Tourism (Sectur) inaugurated the 10th World Forum of Mexican Gastronomy, held in the Plaza de Armas of Cuernavaca.

The opening ceremony was led by the Secretary of Tourism, Josefina Rodríguez Zamora, and the Governor of Morelos, Margarita González Saravia, who highlighted the cultural, social and economic value of Mexican gastronomy as one of the most emblematic and recognized in the world.

The forum brings together specialists, traditional cooks, chefs, academics and producers from 10 states and five countries, with the participation of more than 100 exhibitors who present the diversity of ingredients, traditions and culinary knowledge that make up the gastronomic identity of Mexico.

During his speech, Rodríguez Zamora emphasized that Mexican cuisine is “unique, irreplaceable, and unparalleled,” and stressed the fundamental role of agriculture in the culinary value chain. “Without the work of our producers, the dishes that represent us to the world today would not exist. Mexican cuisine is a driving force for tourism and a profound expression of our identity,” he stated.

The secretary thanked the Government of Morelos for hosting this meeting and invited everyone to enjoy the forum “with all our senses: to smell, to eat and to feel proud of our history and our culture.”

As part of the celebrations, Rodríguez Zamora announced the "Mexico of My
Flavors" Festival, which will take place at Campo Marte in Mexico City, with the participation of all 32 states of the country. The initiative seeks to bring together traditional cooks, producers, and artisans in a grand national gastronomic celebration, in line with the vision of Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, who promotes an inclusive cultural and tourism policy.

The event will take place in parallel with the World Cup and will feature simultaneous gastronomic and cultural festivals in various regions of the country, positioning Mexico as a world reference for culinary tourism.

Pride, Tradition, and Development:
Governor González Saravia expressed her appreciation for the work of Gloria López Morales and Genovevo Figueroa, who spearheaded the dossier that led to the inscription of traditional Mexican cuisine on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. “Our gastronomy is a source of national pride; its value is incalculable and it continues to captivate the world,” she stated.

For his part, the Secretary of Tourism for Morelos, Daniel Altafi Valladares, emphasized that local cuisine represents “the soul of the state, a living heritage that transforms what the land offers into food, gathering, and community.” He added that the forum marks a turning point in the consolidation of a public policy to strengthen the gastronomic chain, from producers to diners, generating sustainable economic and tourism development.

The event was attended by the UNESCO Coordinator of Cultural Programs, Ernesto Ottone Ramírez; the President of the Conservatory of Mexican Gastronomic Culture, Gloria López Morales; and the Secretary of Tourism of Tlaxcala, Fabricio Mena Rodríguez, among other national and international authorities.

The 10th World Forum of Mexican Gastronomy will remain open to the public until November 9, offering a program of activities that include culinary demonstrations, conferences, workshops and tastings, in a celebration that reaffirms Mexico's place as the cradle of one of the richest and most admired gastronomic traditions on the planet.