ITALY REPUBLIC DAY 2026: DR. FRANCESCO ZATTA, Director, Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS)

For decades, Italy’s cooperation with Pakistan has reflected a longstanding and evolving partnership grounded in development, cultural exchange, and scientific collaboration. Well before the establishment of the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), Italy was actively supporting initiatives aimed at improving rural livelihoods and promoting agricultural innovation. Beginning in the 1980s, Italian support focused on agricultural mechanization and crop quality enhancement, particularly in the olive sector, contributing to stronger local value chains and greater economic opportunities for rural communities.

Italy’s ties with Pakistan date back even further. In 1955, the Italian Archaeological Mission led by Giuseppe Tucci launched pioneering research in the Swat Valley, laying the foundation for lasting cultural and academic cooperation. Likewise, the legacy of the 1954 Italian expedition to K2 fostered enduring scientific collaboration in glacier studies, climate adaptation, and environmental resilience, areas that continue to shape Italy’s engagement in Pakistan today.

A new chapter in this partnership began in 2016 with the establishment of AICS under Italy’s reformed development cooperation framework introduced through Law 125/2014. In the same year, the AICS Office in Islamabad was inaugurated, strengthening Italy’s institutional presence and development cooperation efforts in the country.

Over the past decade, AICS Islamabad has focused its work on strategic priorities aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals and Italy’s broader development cooperation agenda. In Pakistan, the Agency has promoted food security and rural development by strengthening agricultural production systems, supporting olive cultivation, and encouraging the growth of producer cooperatives. Climate adaptation and environmental resilience have also become central areas of engagement, particularly through nature-based solutions and anticipatory actions addressing floods, glacier melt, and other climate-related challenges affecting vulnerable communities.

Education and vocational training remain key pillars of AICS support. Initiatives have expanded access to education in underserved areas while equipping young people with practical skills for employment in sectors such as construction and the green economy. At the same time, projects dedicated to the protection and promotion of cultural heritage are contributing to sustainable tourism opportunities through partnerships with universities, local institutions, and civil society organizations.

Looking ahead, the context remains challenging yet full of opportunity. Economic pressures, rapid population growth, social inequalities, and increasing climate vulnerability call for coordinated, long-term responses that strengthen resilience, promote inclusive governance, and generate decent economic opportunities, especially for young people and women.

In this context, AICS remains committed to consolidating its role as a trusted and strategic partner, combining technical expertise, adaptability, and a long-term vision to support sustainable and inclusive development in an increasingly complex global landscape.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026