Today, FAO and Sapienza entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to underline their long-standing collaboration on the themes of Food Security and Sustainable Agriculture, among others. 

The MoU, signed by the Rector of Sapienza, Prof Eugenio Gaudio and by the FAO Deputy Director General for Operations, Mr. Daniel Gustafson, is defined by a solid plan of work based on sharing and exchanging knowledge and expertise, promoting innovative research techniques and developing capacities. 

The collaboration focuses on four particular areas of work: strengthening statistic and data analysis,strengthening food safety and quality within a ‘’Food Systems” approach, increasing the role and contribution of agriculture in Climate Change related initiatives to strengthen Food Security, and promoting Advocacy, Capacity Development and Knowledge Sharing activities between the institutions.

FAO and Sapienza are committed to jointly promoting and strengthening knowledge networks (Communities of Practice) through knowledge sharing, enhancing academic programs and sharing good practices on the role of agriculture in mitigating effects of climate change.

The institutions are also intent on furthering dialogue on key themes such as monitoring the Sustainabile Development Goals (SDG), Responsible Investment in Agriculture (RAI), International Year of Pulses (IYP) and others. 

“FAO and Italy have a common vision and share a common goal in achieving Food Security. With this MoU our engagement is expanding to key areas of work such as statistics, climate change and food quality and safety. It represents yet another step to further our collaboration with Italy through its outstanding academia.” stated Mr Gustafson.

Prof Gaudio, Rector of Sapienza added: “Collaborating with a global player such as FAO is strategically important for Sapienza- it allows our institutions to pool their resources and know-how on themes of global importance such as food security and climate change. The joint work will serve to inspire and motivate youth to find answers to the immense challenges related to the environment and malnutrition.”

Ambassador Pierfrancesco Sacco, Italian Permanent Representative to FAO stated “Through this agreement, the collaboration between the Italian academic system and FAO becomes a reality. We begin this venture with one of the greatest Universities in the world, which, as FAO, is headquartered in Rome.  As President Renzi advised during the World Food Day 2016 celebrations, “we must always strive to work better together, Italy and FAO, in the fight against hunger and malnutrition.”