Dr. Michael Burnard, Dr. Anna Sandak and Dr. Jakub Sandak, InnoRenew CoE Deputy Directors, together with the Mayor of the Municipality of Izola, Mr. Milan Bogatič, welcomed the Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Dr. Qu Dongyu, and the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Food, Ms. Mateja Čalušić, at the institute’s premises.

InnoRenew CoE representatives toured around the research laboratories and the building while presenting the main activities of the institute.

Image: ©FAO/Jure Makovec

Image: Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food

Image: Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food

The visit continued with a discussion where InnoRenew CoE highlighted their activities contributing to sustainable development and presented the successful cooperation with the University of Primorska, which through its study programmes is also committed to be developing new knowledge and to contribute to the sustainable transition of society. Representatives of the Biotechnical Faculty of the University of Ljubljana, Department of Wood Science and the Slovenian Forestry Institute, were also present at the discussion. All participants agreed that sustainable approaches are very important also in the food sector.

Image: ©FAO/Jure Makovec

The delegation continued their visit at the Bordon family farm, which is active in viticulture, olive growing, organic farming and complementary activities on the farm.

The FAO’s Director-General came to Slovenia at the invitation of the President of the Republic of Slovenia, Nataša Pirc Musar.

Image: Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food