The International Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies (CIHEAM) and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) today signed a new strategic partnership aimed at strengthening the livelihoods of rural communities in the Mediterranean region.   The two organizations will work together to advance solutions on issues in the region related to food and nutrition security, rural development and improved management of scarce water resources for agriculture. This will primarily be done at regional and global policy and in advocacy fora. FAO and CIHEAM will also support policies and programmes to empower small-scale farmers and fisher folk to improve their incomes and employment opportunities, and to build their resilience to human-induced and natural shocks.