Expo Milano tackles key global challenge
Noble cause: The Piazza del Duomo (Cathedral Square) in the main city square of Milan, Italy. The Expo Milano will focus on major global challenges relating to sustainable food production.— Photo courtesy of Italian Embassy
On the occassion of the Italian National Day (June 2), the nation’s ambassador to Viet Nam, Lozenro Angeloni, raises the question of sustainable food supply in his message to Viet Nam News
The Italian Government has decided to devote its National Day, the 68th anniversary of the Republic, to showcasing the Milano 2015 Universal Exposition.
Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life, this is the theme of the event, which will last six months, starting in May and running until October. The theme was chosen because of its message for all humanity. All who attend will be able to share in a unique blend of knowledge, education and innovation.
“Is it possible to provide healthy, sufficient and sustainable food for all of humanity?” This is the question the exposition will attempt to answer. In a world where one out of eight people (870 million) is starving, 12 per cent are obese and almost 800 million people do not have access to clean drinking water, finding solutions to sustainable food and water supplies is a strategic goal of the exposition.
The aim of the event is to find and prioritise guidelines for new, shared paths to tackle the challenges of the next millennium. This is to ensure every single person has sufficient nutrition and to guarantee environmental, social and economic sustainability in the world’s food industry.
Participating countries, together with international organisations, civil society and private companies have been asked to propose specific and real solutions. Discussion on the theme from economic, scientific, cultural and social viewpoints, will bring together skills and competences from around the world.
The exhibition also coincides with the Millennium Development Goals set by the United Nations and planned to conclude next year.The organisers and participants will work together to demonstrate excellence in food production, propose strategies to combine production with energy saving, the use of renewable energy sources and ways of protecting natural resources.
The results of this co-operation will lay the groundwork for the drafting of the intangible legacy of Expo Milano. The theme also offers an excellent opportunity to foster bilateral relations between Viet Nam and Italy.
The two nations trade products of not only a rich variety and excellent quality, but also many in the agro-industrial sector that could be value added. This is constantly being explored by Italian scholars and businessmen.
Their will to add value to relations is part of comprehensive efforts by both governments. This is all being done in the spirit of the strategic partnership and of the remarkable strengthening of bilateral co-operation.
This is being highlighted by a series of high level visits between politicians of both sides. — VNS