by InTrieste
Italian and Slovenian environmental agencies have signed a new partnership aimed at strengthening cross-border cooperation on climate and ecological challenges, underscoring a shared commitment to environmental protection in the Friuli Venezia Giulia region.
The agreement, formalized in Trieste on Thursday, brings together Italy’s Regional Environmental Protection Agency (Arpa FVG) and Slovenia’s Environment Agency (Arso) in a collaborative effort to enhance monitoring and sustainable management of natural resources. The signing took place in the presence of Slovenian Minister of Environment Bojan Kumer and Fabio Scoccimarro, regional councillor for environmental protection in Italy’s Friuli Venezia Giulia region.
“This partnership reinforces policies already in place between our region and Ljubljana,” Scoccimarro said. “Arpa FVG and Arso have long been centers of excellence, providing critical expertise on environmental monitoring, safety, and ecosystem protection. This agreement stems from a shared vision of sustainable management and the need for closer scientific cooperation.”
The collaboration will focus on key environmental issues, including air and water quality, climate and meteorological trends, and soil conservation. Officials say the partnership is the latest step in an ongoing effort to bolster transnational cooperation between Italy and Slovenia on environmental matters.
Scoccimarro described the initiative as a “strategic alliance” that builds on recent efforts to improve data sharing and joint planning for environmental monitoring. “This is part of a broader framework that has seen significant progress in environmental cooperation between our two nations in recent years,” he said.
The signing follows a broader regional discussion on sustainable development. Just days earlier, Venice hosted the third edition of the General States of Sustainable Development for the Northern Adriatic and Central Europe, where experts, including those from Friuli Venezia Giulia, addressed critical water resource challenges.
“Our environment does not recognize administrative borders,” Scoccimarro added. “Friuli Venezia Giulia and Slovenia, with their diverse landscapes and climates, are confronting different yet interconnected climate challenges—from extreme weather events in the Alpine regions to rising sea levels along the coast.”
The agreement calls for enhanced cross-border data exchange, shared environmental archives, and the joint implementation of monitoring programs. Officials emphasized that European Union funding would support many of the planned initiatives.
Speaking at the signing, Scoccimarro underscored the urgent need for regional and international cooperation. “Climate change, air and water pollution, sustainable land management, and the transition to renewable energy require us to work together,” he said. “Political borders cannot be barriers to the urgent action needed in a cross-border region like ours, where environmental issues affect both countries in deeply interdependent ways.”
The partnership, he concluded, is more than a formality. “This is a tangible commitment to improving the quality of life for our citizens, ensuring effective environmental monitoring, and building a future where economic growth and environmental stewardship go hand in hand.”
Interview: FVG councilor for environment, Fabio Scoccimarro; Slovenian minister for environment, Bojan Kumer
