ROME, July 13 (Xinhua) -- In a rare collaboration between a multilateral agency and a municipal government, the Rome-based United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the city that hosts it have unveiled a plan for a symbolic biodiversity project in one of Rome's historic parks.

Earlier this month, the two entities jointly announced a project that aims to set up what they call the "Global Library of Trees and Flowers" in the city's Villa Doria Pamphili park.

The park, which dates to the 17th century, is the largest of Rome's landscaped public parks.

The project will cover nearly three hectares of land in the park and include around 200 different types of plants originating from Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, South America, North America and Oceania -- all of the geographic areas producing plants that can thrive in Rome's climate.

Though a relatively small-scale project, officials from both FAO and the Rome city government said the initiative is important as an educational and symbolic message on the importance of biodiversity, as well as an example of a new kind of collaborative project between different types of governmental entities.

The initiative was jointly unveiled earlier this month by FAO Director General Qu Dongyu and Roberto Gualtieri, mayor of Rome.

"This project got underway after Mayor Gualtieri said he wanted to create a stronger relationship between the city and the United Nations organizations based in Rome," Sabrina Alfonsi, Rome's councilor for agriculture, environment and waste, told Xinhua. "We think this will be the first of a series of partnerships along these lines."

The project breaks new ground for FAO as well, according to Simone Borrelli, the agency's urban forestry officer.

Borrelli told Xinhua that while a few similar projects exist elsewhere, this will be the first one where FAO plays a hands-on role.

According to the statements released when the park was announced, the selection and planting of the trees, shrubs and flowers -- all of which will be locally sourced -- will be carried out by FAO, while the city of Rome will be charged with upkeep and maintenance of the area.

The park is set to open to the public on Oct. 16, World Food Day, though new plants will be continually added as they are found and as climate conditions allow for several years.

Both Alfonsi and Borrelli said the project was valuable as a symbol of biodiversity, as an educational tool, and as an illustration of the relationship between plants and people. Each type of plant will be marked with a QR code allowing students, tourists and other observers to learn more about that species.

"It will be a beautiful spot that will attract visitors and introduce people to the exotic plant species and hopefully spark interest in biodiversity and forestry," Borrelli said.

"In a way, it will be a never-ending project," Alfonsi said. "Like all forests, it will evolve and adapt over time and that's something that doesn't have an end date." Enditem

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