The 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29), taking place from 11 to 22 November 2024 in Baku, Azerbaijan, brings together world leaders, stakeholders and climate experts to address the most pressing climate issues. The COP29 agenda focuses on strengthening commitments to limit global warming to 1.5°C, increasing climate finance and promoting adaptation and resilience measures.
On October 7, in the framework OrganicTargets4EU (OT4EU) project, the Italian National Workshops on the Organic Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation Systems (AKIS) and on a Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA) for organics were held at CIHEAM Bari campus.
The event gathered twelve participants, representatives from AIAB Friuli V. Giulia, Coldiretti Bio, CREA PB, FederBIO servizi, Fileni BIO, FIRAB, ISMEA, Polytechnic University of Marche, and others.
The twelve participants discussed the current advisory system for the organic sector in Italy, what the future advisory system should look like, and how to get there. They also exchanged on organic research needs and priorities.
The results of these fruitful discussions were a list of priority actions for increasing the availability and capacity of the Italian organic advisory services and a list of research & innovation thematic priorities to enrich TP Organics SRIA research areas.
The following day, the group took part also to the Italian national backcasting workshop in which using the ‘backcasting’ methodology, attendees reflected on a national Italian scenario already pre-defined by experts that reaches the F2F target for organic farming (25% of agricultural land under organic farming) by 2040 and the different milestones and actions needed to reach it. They used the results of this discussion to create a detailed, multi-faceted hypothetical transition pathway to 2040, which was the main outcome of the workshop.
The OrganicTargets4EU project is funded by the Horizon Europe program and lasts for three years, until February 2026.
The delegation visiting our Institute included:
H.E. Shukralla Begard Dlshad – Minister of Agriculture and Water Resources
Alobaidi Abdulkareem Sulaiman – Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Water Resources
Ismail Halkawt and Abdalrahman – Directors General of Horticulture, Forestry, and Pastures
Ghafour Talan Zrar – Director of Legal Affairs
The visit aimed to strengthen the AICS-funded KORES project, focused on enhancing both the quantity and quality of olive oil production in Kurdistan, while also exploring further opportunities for collaboration and training.
Tripoli hosted CIHEAM Bari at the Libyan-Italian Business Forum and the Fisheries and Agriculture Exhibition, organised by the Italian-Libyan Chambers of Commerce upon the initiative of Prime Ministers Meloni and Dbeibah. The event saw the active participation of the Italian Embassy in Libya and ICE (Italian Trade Agency), and was attended by more than 100 representatives of Italian companies.
Experts Gian Pietro Testolin and Orazio Albano presented CIHEAM Bari's initiatives in the fisheries and agriculture sectors, reaffirming the organisation’s commitment to strengthening fishing and aquaculture capacities in Libya.
The event provided a platform for numerous Libyan and Italian officials, along with the industry's leading companies, to exchange ideas and outline pathways for sustainable development. The participation of Libyan Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah underscored the institutional support and the significance of Libyan-Italian cooperation in promoting the country's economic growth.
Rabat hosts the 12th Meeting of Ministers from Member States of the International Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies (CIHEAM)
The Minister of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development, and Water and Forests of the Kingdom of Morocco, Mr. Ahmed EL Bouari, alongside Ms. Frida KRIFCA, President of the International Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies (CIHEAM), chaired the 12th CIHEAM Ministerial Meeting on Friday, October 25, 2024, in Rabat. The meeting brought together Ministers of Agriculture, including Mr. Luis PLANAS PUCHADES (Spain), Mr. Francesco LOLLOBRIGIDA (Italy), Mr. Anton REFALO (Malta), and heads of delegations from the 13 CIHEAM member countries, as well as representatives of intergovernmental and international organizations. Recorded messages were also shared by Ms. Anila DENAJ, Minister of Albania, and Mr. Abbas AL HAJJ HASSAN, Minister of Lebanon.
This high-level meeting continues the political dialogues initiated by CIHEAM since its establishment, placing sustainable agriculture and food at the heart of Mediterranean cooperation. Amidst a region-wide poly-crisis, these strategic sectors for food security are seen as vital levers for promoting inclusive development and shared prosperity across the Mediterranean region.
The central theme of this edition, “A Mediterranean Approach to Food Sovereignty: Concerns and Impacts on Sustainable Agri-Food Systems,” emphasizes ways to accelerate the transition towards more sustainable and resilient agricultural and food systems, including the “blue transformation,” in response to challenges such as climate change and water scarcity. Special focus is given to the inclusion of rural communities, particularly youth and women, across agri-food value chains.
CIHEAM: A Key Player in Mediterranean Dialogue and Cooperation
Since 1962, CIHEAM has been committed to agricultural and rural development in the Mediterranean through training, research, policy dialogue, and international cooperation. The 12th Ministerial Meeting follows in the tradition of CIHEAM’s landmark gatherings, aiming to ensure a Mediterranean dialogue space on strategic and emerging issues and to develop joint solutions to address challenges, drawing particularly on CIHEAM’s expertise in the region.
Notably, the Istanbul Ministerial Meeting (2010) addressed the impacts of climate change on food security; the Valletta Ministerial Meeting (2012) advocated for the development of an agricultural market information system for Mediterranean countries, linked to the AMIS system, to better manage agricultural price volatility; the Algiers Ministerial Meeting (2014) emphasized measures to combat food insecurity, focusing on family farming and human development; and the Tirana Ministerial Meeting (2016) addressed the dynamics of mobility and migration in rural and agricultural areas.
A Lasting Commitment of Morocco with CIHEAM
The Kingdom of Morocco is hosting the CIHEAM Ministerial Meeting for the second time. In 2000, Rabat welcomed Ministers from CIHEAM member countries, where they discussed consolidating a common Euro-Mediterranean approach to agricultural trade and the vital role of agricultural product exports for the development of Southern Mediterranean countries.
Twenty-four years later, Morocco once again hosts the CIHEAM Ministerial Meeting at the invitation of Prof. Mohammed Sadiki, the current Minister of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development, and Water and Forests, who chaired the CIHEAM Governing Board from 2019 to 2023. His continued commitment to CIHEAM as Morocco’s delegate on the Board since 2009, then as Vice-President and President, has contributed to strengthening ties between Morocco and this organization. This fruitful cooperation continues today, reflecting a shared desire to strengthen Mediterranean relations and build a sustainable future for the region.
Adoption of the Final Declaration of the 12th CIHEAM Ministerial Meeting
After discussions on national policies and coordinated regional actions to address common challenges and promote food security across the Mediterranean region, the participants adopted by consensus the final declaration of the 12th CIHEAM Ministerial Meeting.
Through this declaration, Ministers and Heads of Delegation expressed their support for CIHEAM’s initiatives in sustainable food systems, encouraged youth and women to invest in sustainable agriculture and fisheries, and acknowledged the relevance of CIHEAM’s work.
On 22 October, CIHEAM Bari took part in the Launch of the OECD Africa Governance Platform at the Biagi Auditorium in Milan.
This high-level event marked the official launch of the AGP within the framework of the Global Forum on Building Trust and Reinforcing Democracy. The event highlighted the critical role of robust public institutions in promoting inclusive and sustainable prosperity in Africa in the face of global challenges, financial constraints and demographic pressures.
This was also an opportunity to consolidate strategic cooperation between OECD members and African partners, aiming to disseminate OECD standards and facilitate policy dialogue to address evolving global and regional challenges.
CIHEAM Bari's involvement reflects its active role across African countries and its efforts to enhance ministries' competences through targeted capacity-building initiatives. The Institute's priorities include training local officials and empowering young researchers, with a particular focus on applied research, and promoting entrepreneurship.
By participating in this landmark event, CIHEAM Bari reaffirmed its commitment to advancing effective governance and sustainable development in Africa, leveraging its expertise and partnerships to further shared strategic goals.
Starting on 26 October 2024, every Saturday, Alexandria’s residents will be able to buy local
Alexandria's first Farmers Market will officially open on Saturday, 26 October 2024
This milestone event is part of the Mediterranean and African Markets Initiative (MAMI-Farmers Markets) project, which is funded by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and carried out by CIHEAM Bari (International Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies) in partnership with the World Farmers Markets Coalition.
From 26 October, every Saturday from 10am to 5pm, twenty local farmers will be selling their products directly to Alexandria's residents. Located in the bustling Saad Zaghloul Square in the city center, the market aims to become a key destination for purchasing fresh, seasonal, and high-quality food, fostering direct connections between producers and consumers. Shoppers will find a wide variety of products, including seasonal fruit and vegetables, bread, dairy, pastries, honey, meat, and even local handicrafts.
This initiative, supported by the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce, is a remarkable example of how to shorten the food supply chain. It ensures farmers receive fair compensation while providing shoppers with the opportunity to purchase fresh, authentic, locally sourced products directly from producers.
The market is set to open on 26 October at 10am in Alexandria's Saad Zaghloul Square. Several Italian and Egyptian officials are expected to attend the inauguration ceremony.
Apre il primo mercato contadino in Egitto
Dal 26 ottobre 2024, ogni sabato, gli abitanti di Alessandria potranno fare la spesa a km 0
Sarà inaugurato sabato 26 ottobre 2024 ad Alessandria d’Egitto il primo mercato contadino
Questo importante traguardo è stato raggiunto grazie al progetto Mediterranean and African Markets Initiative (MAMI-Farmers Markets), finanziato dal Ministero italiano degli Affari Esteri e della Cooperazione Internazionale e realizzato dal CIHEAM Bari (Centre International de Hautes Etudes Agronomiques Méditerranéennes) in collaborazione con la World Farmers Markets Coalition.
A partire dal 26 ottobre, ogni sabato dalle ore 10.00 alle 17.00, venti produttori locali offriranno i loro prodotti direttamente ai cittadini di Alessandria. Il mercato, situato in pieno centro cittadino, nella frequentatissima Piazza Saad Zaghloul, diventerà un punto di riferimento per l'acquisto di cibo locale, stagionale e di qualità, facilitando l’accesso diretto tra produttori e consumatori. Sarà possibile acquistare un'ampia varietà di prodotti, tra cui frutta e verdura di stagione, pane, latticini, prodotti da forno, miele, carni e anche manufatti artigianali locali.
Questa iniziativa, realizzata con il supporto della Camera di Commercio di Alessandria, rappresenta un esempio virtuoso di come sia possibile accorciare la filiera alimentare, garantendo agli agricoltori un giusto compenso e ai consumatori la possibilità di acquistare prodotti freschi e genuini a chilometro zero.
L'inaugurazione del mercato in Piazza Saad Zaghloul ad Alessandria è prevista per le ore 10 del 26 ottobre p.v. e vedrà la partecipazione di diverse autorità italiane e egiziane.
“Storyboard” e “Business Model Canvas” i principali strumenti di questo nuovo Living Lab Meeting del progetto Horizon Europe “Grass Ceiling”, giunto al suo sesto appuntamento.
Il progetto, attraverso le idee innovative di otto donne, attive in contesti rurali, mira a promuovere la partecipazione femminile nel settore, progettando nuovi servizi e prodotti che rispondano a bisogni specifici segnalati da ciascuna di esse.
Il meeting rappresenta un’importante occasione di crescita e confronto tra le partecipanti, utile a superare le barriere presenti nel mondo del lavoro rurale.
In questo modo, a Bitonto (BA) presso il Laboratorio Urbano "Officine Culturali", Grass Ceiling spicca il volo nella dimensione del reale. Le idee delle otto protagoniste di questo percorso di progettazione partecipata saranno testate nelle vite reali degli utenti.
Dopo aver monitorato gli ultimi progressi, a metà mattinata si è svolta una sessione dedicata ai “prototipi”, con una fase di lavoro individuale in cui ogni partecipante ha disegnato il proprio prototipo attraverso la metodologia dello “storyboard”, ovvero una rappresentazione visiva che organizza le idee e i contenuti di un progetto, spesso utilizzato nel campo del design, del cinema e della comunicazione.
L’attività si è conclusa, infine, con un’introduzione allo strumento del “Business Model Canvas”, curata da Donatello Macario del CIHEAM Bari, durante la quale le partecipanti hanno appreso nozioni fondamentali per la creazione di modelli di business sostenibili e strutturati.
Anche questa volta le donne innovatrici, attraverso la guida e il supporto dei due co-leads Legacoop Puglia e CIHEAM Bari, hanno riflettuto sulle caratteristiche essenziali che un prodotto o servizio deve possedere per avere successo.
Congress of the Mediterranean Phytopathological Union
New Phytopathology Frontiers of Research and Education for Plant Health and Food Safety
Dear Colleagues, The upcoming Congress of the Mediterranean Phytopathological Union, titled: “New Phytopathology Frontiers of Research and Education for Plant Health and Food Safety” aims to promote education and research as essential tools to address the new challenges of phytopathology and food safety, thereby raising community awareness and promoting a responsible, ecological and sustainable future.
The Congress will serve as a forum to facilitate the exchange of cutting-edge scientific knowledge, to encourage dialogue between researchers, policymakers, industry and other stakeholders in plant and food health and to empower a robust and connected knowledge community that collaborates towards shared goals and objectives. We are planning to hold a major event to showcase the role of Education and Research in Phytopathology, for food security and safety, and help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
There can be no sustainable future for phytopathology and food safety without the support of fresh ideas and solutions provided by early career researchers.
Participation of young scientists is therefore strongly encouraged, and reduced registration fees are available for students, fellows and early carreer researchers.
Awards will be given to best young scientists' posters and presentations. The conference language will be English. The Book of abstracts will be published in the MPU’s international open-access journal Phytopathologia Mediterranea, which will also host some relevent contributions in a Special Issue.
We look forward to welcoming you to Bari. Your presence will contribute to a fruitful exchange of scientific ideas and help forge new friendships and future collaborations. We are sure that your experience in our city will be scientifically rewarding, very pleasant and truly unforgettable.
