Astara’s Siyov village recognized under FAO’s Villages Recognition Initiative

Siyov village in Astara district has been recognized for its commitment to preserving local heritage, traditions, and biodiversity while promoting sustainable and inclusive rural development under the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Villages Recognition Initiative.

As part of his mission to the Lankaran-Astara region, FAO Representative in Azerbaijan Nasar Hayat met with local community members and presented the Certificate of Recognition, acknowledging the village's efforts to safeguard its cultural and natural heritage while fostering sustainable rural development.

The FAO Representative also visited Hirkan National Park, where he met with the park's management and staff to review the progress of ongoing project "Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biodiversity" funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and implemented by FAO Azerbaijan. The mission included visits to several project sites, including the location designated for the construction of a new administrative building, the planned fencing area, and Dashtatuk village, where he observed the ongoing construction of a community water irrigation pipeline and met with local residents. 

Developed under FAO MuNe (the Food and Agriculture Museum and Network) and launched as part of FAO's 80th Anniversary celebrations, the Villages Recognition Initiative promotes the international recognition of rural communities that contribute to sustainable agrifood systems, biodiversity conservation, the preservation of food traditions and local knowledge, and inclusive rural development, while encouraging the global exchange of their experiences and good practices.

To date, the initiative has received more than 300 nominations from 69 countries across all regions of the world. Rather than ranking villages, the programme emphasizes recognition, visibility, and knowledge exchange. Recognized villages receive a digital Certificate of Recognition endorsed by the FAO Director-General, are included in the FAO MuNe Network, and gain visibility through the MuNe digital platform, which promotes the exchange of knowledge and good practices worldwide.