CIHEAM Bari - Centro Internazionale di Alti Studi Agronomici Mediterranei Istituto Agronomico Mediterraneo di Bari

CIHEAM Bari is a Centre for post-graduate training, applied scientific research and design of in loco partnership actions within the framework of international research and cooperation programmes. 

The Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Bari and the Institute of Montpellier were the first to be established by CIHEAM. 

CIHEAM Bari enjoys the privileges of extra-territoriality granted to international organisations by the Republic of Italy through the Establishment agreement signed to the Italian Government in 1962, ratified in Italy with law N. 932 of 13 July 1965 and with the supplementary protocol to the Agreement ratified with law N. 159 of 26 May 2000.

The building of CIHEAM Bari campus started in 1970 near Valenzano. The current headquarters were inaugurated on 27 October 1972.

In line with CIHEAM’s Action Plan 2025 for the Mediterranean (CAPMED 2025), CIHEAM Bari  is involved in a number of activities which provide a platform for institutions and organizations wishing to cooperate across the Mediterranean area. Furthermore, the experience gained may often be transferred to other regions of the world. Special attention is paid to the involvement of CIHEAM Bari  Alumni, especially in their countries of origin.

Cooperation and research actions concern important issues such as food security, poverty alleviation, capacity building at institutional level, more efficient use of natural resources, improvement of agricultural production and productivity, promotion of organic farming, development of sustainable food systems, resilience to climate change, integrated management of coastal areas, gender empowerment, fisheries and aquaculture, etc. 

The networking activities conducted by CIHEAM Bari involve hundreds of institutions located in several countries, consolidating professional contacts, institutional and multi-stakeholder partnerships, country-to-country relationships and joint initiatives with the private sector. This paves the way to self-generating exchange of information, technical and professional expertise,  publications, innovative research and educational activities, conferences and seminars, harmonization of methodological guidelines, etc.