Italian cities at Expo 2020 Dubai to propel sustainable development and the integrated promotion of territories from a cultural, economic and scientific perspective: the project for Italy’s participation at the forthcoming Universal Exhibition aims to foster the growth and international attractiveness of the country’s cities and metropolitan areas.
The Protocol signed in Rimini, during the Annual General Meeting of ANCI (National Association of Italian Municipalities) with the Commissioner General for Expo 2020 Dubai, involves initiatives aimed at promoting territorial excellences, scientific knowledge and artistic skills, besides emphasising innovations for the environmental sustainability of urban areas and sharing initiatives at an international level to tackle the challenges posed by the 2030 Agenda of the United Nations.
The Commissioner General for Italy at Expo 2020, Paolo Glisenti, declared: “The first Universal Exhibition to be held in a country located in the Arab, Middle East, North Africa and South-East Asia region can become a formidable driver for cultural, educational and scientific diplomacy in the network of collaborations, twinships and partnerships linking the world’s cities as they tackle two major issues together: development and innovation. We’ll offer Italian cities a unique showcase in a region which, over the next few years, will reflect a strong demand for training, new investment opportunities and rapidly expanding tourist flows”.
“The ‘EXPO DUBAI 2020’ Universal Exhibition is a major international event capable of offering development, internationalisation and promotion opportunities for Italian territories”.
This is what Antonio Decaro, Chairman of ANCI, had to say upon signing the agreement. “We will involve the network of municipalities and metropolitan cities to define how to promote the innovation projects developed at a local level, by adopting an intra-territorial approach and partnerships with universities, research centres, companies and civil society”.