On 13 May, Italian Undersecretary Maria Tripodi, delegated by Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani, attended the second EU – Indo-Pacific Forum. The event, opened by King Carl Gustaf and Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden, brought together the Ministers and Deputy Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the two regions together with representatives of partner countries and regional organisations. The meeting is part of the EU strategy for the Indo-Pacific region aimed at fostering stronger dialogue with partners in the strategic region. The forum was also attended by Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs Kuleba, to whom Undersecretary Tripodi reiterated Italy’s full support for Ukraine on the day of President Zelensky’s historic visit to Rome.
Undersecretary Tripodi spoke at the round table “Pursuing green opportunities and overcoming global challenges in cooperation” and reiterated Italy’s commitment to the implementation of the EU Strategy for the Indo-Pacific, emphasising how Italy has long been fully involved in the region – among the most exposed to climate risk – with important initiatives for combating climate change, and promoting energy transition and sustainable development. The Undersecretary then focused on the role that cooperation between the European Union and the Indo-Pacific will play in achieving the goals of the 2030 Agenda, hoping that the forum will pave the way for stronger and more effective forms of cooperation between the two regions.