FAO celebrates International Tea Day in Rome

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) celebrated the sixth International Tea Day on Wednesday with a themed event at its headquarters in Rome.

Called "Tea for Better Lives", this year's celebration highlighted tea's significant contribution to livelihoods, sustainability, and well-being.

FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu said in his opening remarks at the event that tea is not merely a beverage, but a lifeline for millions of people worldwide. However, he underlined that the tea sector currently faces numerous challenges, including price volatility, limited access to finance, lack of technology, and the risks associated with climate change.

Qu called for global collaboration to transform the tea sector and unlock its full potential.

During the event, the FAO announced the six new sites which will be added to the organization's list of Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS). Among these are two tea-producing communities, the Fuding white tea culture system in China's Fujian Province, and the shade-grown erva mate system in Parana, Brazil. The sites are recognized for preserving agrobiodiversity and cultural identity through traditional practices.

Delegations from several countries where tea plays a vital role in socioeconomic development attended the celebration. Participants engaged in dialogues on tea markets and trade, and shared experiences and insights on tea-related heritage and traditions.

The event also featured traditional tea tastings, a photo exhibition highlighting the cultural and ecological value of tea and displays on the subject of the global diversity of tea culture.

International Tea Day was also observed at Expo 2025 Osaka, and through various events hosted worldwide by governments, tea producer associations, and civil society organizations.

The United Nations General Assembly designated May 21 as International Tea Day in December 2019.