Hôtel de Galliffet – Paris, France – 9 April 2025

A longstanding significant player in agriculture and food cooperation in the Mediterranean, the CIHEAM, in partnership with the Permanent Delegation of Italy to the International Organizations in Paris, organised a high-level luncheon on 9 April 2025. The event brought together ambassadors of CIHEAM Member States and of other Mediterranean countries, including the Balkans. This reception was aimed to raise awareness of the CIHEAM's mission, especially the action of its Secretary-General who is actively engaged in political and institutional dialogue to support regional priorities and address current pressing challenges.

While the Organisation is often recognised for its scientific and technical work, the General Secretariat of the CIHEAM took this opportunity to highlight its diplomatic role, especially at a time when multilateralism is weakened and development cooperation is faced with growing threats.

The event was opened by H.E. Mr Luca Sabbatucci, Ambassador of Italy, who commended the commitment of the CIHEAM to agricultural diplomacy while recalling the leading role of Italy in strengthening Mediterranean cooperation.

Mr Teodoro Miano, Secretary General of the CIHEAM, then presented the Organisation’s mission, history, and strategic vision. He stressed the importance of collective mobilisation of States in the face of shared regional challenges such as climate change, food security, soci-economic inclusion of youth, women empowerment, innovation, and the transition towards sustainable food systems.

He also highlighted the major asset represented by the CIHEAM’s network of over 40,000 alumni -true vectors of influence - and the Organisation’s capacity to bring together stakeholdrs around initiatives such as ministerial meetings - the most recent of which was held in Rabat on regional food sovereignty) and monitoring networks focused on strategic sectors such as cereals and pulses.

Throughut the discussions, the ambassadors shared their national perspectives and expressed their interest in CIHEAM's flagship initiatives as well as in upcoming political and institutional events.

Discussions also touched upon a possible expansion of the CIHEAM to include new Mediterranean countries, notably through the reintegration of States from the former Yugoslavia (one of the founding members of the Organisation). The fundamental role of diplomatic missions in fostering links between Ministries of Agriculture and Foreign Affairs was also highlighted.

In conclusion, participants reaffirmed the importance of maintaining regular institutional dialogue, strengthening scientific partnerships, and promoting flexible cooperative mechanisms tailored to regional specificities in order to better address contemporary uncertainties.
Henceforth, this kind of event will now be held on a regular basis to further nurture dialogue between diplomacy and agriculture in the Mediterranean.