The first meeting of the Space Agencies members of the IILA is scheduled for 20 June: the top-ranking officials of the 18 Space Agencies of IILA member Countries, representatives of the ESA (European Space Agency) and of the leading industries and trade associations of the Italian aerospace sector will meet in the International Conference Hall at the Farnesina to explore new space collaboration prospects.
The event, organized by the IILA – the International Italian-Latin American Organization – and by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI), in partnership with the Italian Space Agency (ASI) and ICE – the Italian Trade & Investment Agency, is promoted within the framework of the MAECI-sponsored project called “IILA per lo spazio: diplomazia ed economia spaziale a favore dello sviluppo sostenibile” (“IILA for Space: space diplomacy and economy in favor of sustainable development”).
The Principal Director for the Promotion of Italian Companies, Minister Plenipotentiary Cecilia Piccioni, will read a message written by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Luigi Di Maio, on the initiatives promoted by the Italian space diplomacy in Latin America. In her contribution, the Principal Director will also highlight the role played by the Italian diplomatic network for the promotion of Italian companies of the sector.
Her speech will be followed by a contribution by the Secretary General of IILA, Antonella Cavallari, and by the Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hon. Manlio Di Stefano. The meeting will also be attended by the Latin American ambassadors to Italy, high representatives of the Italian Parliament and numerous other dignitaries.
Traditionally, space is an international cooperation sector in which single States collaborate to achieve common goals. The Italian-Latin American partnership in this sector, both through university and scientific cooperation and collaboration in the technology and business sector, has a very high potential that the event aims to promote and disseminate.
The event’s rich program will continue on 21 June with a second day of working sessions wholly dedicated to the dissemination of space-oriented technologies for sustainable development and growth.
From 22 to 24 June, the delegations will visit Italian industries of the sector with the aim of stimulating the networking of Latin American small and medium-sized enterprises and startups. The industries receiving the welcome guests will be the following: AVIO, a leading company in the space propulsion sector, headquartered in Colleferro (province of Rome); the ASI headquarters in Matera, which also hosts the head offices of e-GEOS (ASI/Telespazio), one of the world’s major players in the field of Earth observation and of geospatial information; Sitael, global leader in the field of aerospace and transports based in Bari; D-Orbit, a company operating in the field of space logistics and transport services based in Milan; Leonardo S.p.a. (Milan headquarters), a leader in the aerospace, defense and security sector; OHB-Italia, one of the leading space companies in Europe and leader in space and Earth observation missions.
