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Italian Delegation Visits FSM

Palikir, Pohnpei (Dept. of Foreign Affairs): March 11, 2008 - A joint delegation from the Government of Italy and the City of Milan arrived in Pohnpei on February 22, 2008. The delegation was headed by Ambassador Claudio Moreno of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, General Coordinator for the candidature of Milan 2015, Counsellor Gian Lorenzo Cornado (MFA), Professor Roberto Schmid (President of the Scientific Committee of "Milan 2015"), Mr. Gaetano Castellini (Office of the Mayor of Milan), Mr. Cesare Alippi, Mr. Adriano Gasperi and Mr. Dino Levi (Scientific Committee). The joint delegation met with President Mori, Secretary Lorin Robert, and Secretary Peter Christian on Saturday at 10:00 am to discuss Italy's candidature to host the 2015 World Exposition.

The visit to the FSM was part of a tour of the Pacific Island Countries to seek support for Italy's bid to host the 2015 World Exposition in the city of Miland. FSM is not yet a member of the BIE.

The joint delegation discussed with the President the Regional framework for cooperation between the Expo Committee and the Pacific Island Forum (PIF).

A letter from the Mayor of Milan was also delivered during the meeting where the Mayor specified the areas of cooperation to support Milan's theme: "Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life." In view of the Expo 2015 the Italian public and private sectors committed themselves to pledge 5.5 million euros for actions in defense of biodiversity in the insular states of the Pacific Ocean, of the Caribbean and of the Indian Ocean. In addition, 10.5 million euros has been pledged for co-development projects involving remittance all over the world.

The Expo 2015 budget has finally committed 52 million euros aimed at environment projects generating "green credits" under the Kyoto Protocol provisions.

At the regional level, the Italian Government (Ministry of Environment and Ministry of Foreign Affairs) and the City of Milan pledged for the Pacific Islands Forum, 8.5 million euros for the period 2007-2009. This sum is intended for the following lines of action: adjustment to climate change and protection from high sea-water level; development and distribution of new energy strategies, in order to implement sustainable projects based on renewable sources, such as wind power, solar energy and bio-fuel; development of eco-tourism; transfer of knowledge and technologies to share experiences and scientific know-how.

At the bilateral level, the City of Milan has extended the Smart Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Technologies (SEMAT) Project to the islands. This project is aimed at monitoring the Coral Reef.

The delegation's program of visit included a tour of Pohnpei. The joint delegation departed Pohnpei on Sunday, February 24, 2008.