The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and Italy's Carabinieri Corps today strengthened their partnership by renewing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), previously signed in 2017. The revamped agreement seeks to further common goals in the areas of environmental and biodiversity protection, sustainable resource management, forest protection, agrifood security, and emergency planning and management.
The partnership comes after the former Italian State Forestry Corps was incorporated into the Carabinieri Corps in 2017, giving the latter responsibility for the protection of Italy's forests and ecological resources, along with the responsibility for combating illicit activities related to the agrifood sector.
The MoU was signed by FAO Director-General QU Dongyu and the Commanding General of the Carabinieri, Lt. General Teo Luzi, at an event held at FAO's headquarters in Rome.
The FAO Director-General noted that the renewal of the agreement was taking place on a "special day" as it coincided with the 8th World Forestry Week (WFW2022) hosted by FAO, in the context of the 26th Session of the FAO Committee on Forestry (COFO26) taking place this week. He also reaffirmed FAO's commitment to working closely with the Italian Government and further strengthening collaboration, including with the Carabinieri Corps.
In his address, Lt. Gen. Luzi remarked that the understanding seals the willingness to effectively and solidly pool resources, experience and knowledge in direct support of FAO's universal goals.
As part of the partnership the Carabinieri has been able to develop 14 Safe and Secure Approach to Field Environment (SSAFE) courses, which provide training specifically aimed at FAO personnel deployed in crisis areas.
The renewal of the Memorandum also includes cooperation activities in the areas of forest fire prevention, protection of wildlife species protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), forest engineering, and land care.
