The Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Maria Tripodi, took part via videoconference in the 58th Annual Meeting of the Asian Development Bank, currently being held in Milan.
“Italy has actively participated in the work of this important multilateral institution since its founding in 1966. The fact that the meeting is taking place in our country for the first time is further evidence of the great importance we attach to the Indo-Pacific region, which has now become strategic to global geopolitical and economic balance”, said the Undersecretary, thanking, among others, the Bank’s President, Masato Kanda, and Vice-President Roberta Casali.
Tripodi went on to highlight the strong commitment of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to strengthen the presence of small and medium-sized enterprises in the markets of the region. As most recently demonstrated by Minister Antonio Tajani’s mission to Osaka, Italy is a natural bridge between Europe and Asia, and the Italian economic system is constantly working to effectively support our businesses and fully seize all opportunities for growth and trade in the region, including those offered by the Asian Development Bank.
Facilitating market access and enhancing the competitiveness of our businesses are in fact key objectives of Italy’s economic diplomacy—goals the Government also intends to pursue through innovative instruments such as the Italian Climate Fund, which has over €4 billion at its disposal.
