Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Edmondo Cirielli, spoke today at the 27th Mediterranean Exchange for Archaeological Tourism, opening the panel “Protecting and Enhancing the Mediterranean Cultural Heritage: The Commitment of Italian Cooperation.” The panel’s institutional session also saw the participation of the Albanian Deputy Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Sport and the Syrian Ministers of Culture and Tourism.
The Deputy Minister stated: “Cultural heritage, in its many tangible and intangible expressions, is not only an element of identity, but also a concrete tool for promoting social cohesion, inclusive economic growth, dialogue between communities, and cooperation among the peoples of the Mediterranean region.” He noted that the Italian Cooperation’s portfolio of interventions for protecting and enhancing cultural heritage in Mediterranean countries is worth approximately €20 million, complemented by European Union funds managed by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) under delegated cooperation arrangements.
The annual event in Paestum, now unique in the world and dedicated to the enhancement of archaeological heritage and the promotion of cultural tourism, this year features over 110 conferences, 150 exhibitors from 20 countries, and approximately 600 speakers and moderators, with sections dedicated to underwater archaeology, digital innovation, accessibility, and training.
