In 2015, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with three Italian research institutions: Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Consiglio per la ricerca in agricoltura e l’analisi dell’economia agraria (CREA), and Agenzia nazionale per la nuove tecnologie, l’energia e lo sviluppo economico e sostenibile (ENEA). The partnership works to enhance sustainable food production and improve nutrition. In 2018, the collaboration grew to include Istituto Superiore per la Protezione e Ricerca Ambientale (ISPRA).

The partnership aims to raise awareness, develop capacities and foster the exchange of knowledge in areas such as agriculture, climate change, food quality and nutrition, sustainable food systems, sustainable management of land and water, conservation of biodiversity and ecosystems, the assessment of innovation in rural development programmes, and value chain development through local innovation.

"Tackling the food crisis and guaranteeing the right to food requires an inclusive approach that brings together science, technology and innovation while respecting and enhancing agroecosystems, with the involvement and support of researchers, farmers, operators of the different agro-food production chains and civil society . This is the meaning of the collaboration between  FAO and the Italian Research Institution in the framework of the MoU renewed for the third time " Massimo Iannetta  said  in the occasion of  UN Food Systems Summit will take place in Rome from 26–28 July 2021.

A leaflet is now  available about the collaboration of FAO and the Italian Research Institution in the framework of the MoU signed in 2015 and renewed in 2021.