On September 24th in Bari (Italy) a Memorandum of Understanding was signed by the Permanent Secretariat of the Adriatic-Ionian Initiative (AII-PS) and the International Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies (CIHEAM) Bari establishing a collaboration aimed at strengthening dialogue and cohesion between the Adriatic-Ionian region, in line with the European integration process.
The 18th Coordination Meeting of Regional Organisations hosted by the Central European Initiative – Executive Secretariat in Trieste on 17 September 2024 witnessed the presence of high-level representatives from the Secretariats of regional organizations, such as the Adriatic Ionian Initiative, the Black Sea Economic Cooperation, and the Regional Cooperation Council. Special guests were the European Commission, the Regional School of Public Administration, and the Regional Anti-corruption Initiative.
Read more: 18th Coordination Meeting of Regional Organisations - 17 September 2024, Trieste
The 5th International Congress on Applied Ichthyology, Oceanography, and Aquatic Environment (HydroMediT 2024) will take place in Mytilene (Greece), at the hospitable island of Lesvos, from the 30th of May to the 2nd of June 2024, in the premises of the University of the Aegean. The event is organized within the framework of the AII Greek Chairmanship.
The CE.S.MA, Marche Study Center, named after the late and famous luminary of medicine "Giuseppe Giunchi", founded in 1983, pursues the aim of enhancing the knowledge and image of the citizens of the Marche Region to whom, in Italy and around the world, particular merits have been recognized.
At the same time, the Center also intends to pay grateful recognition to those citizens from outside the Marche region who have made an intense commitment through their activities to the promotion and valorisation of the Marche region, inspired by the principles of human solidarity and cultural, scientific and economic promotion. To this end it has established the honorific distinction of "Marchigiano ad Honorem".
The ceremony took place on May 30, 2024 at the Sala Capitolare of the Senate of the Italian Republic, Piazza della Minerva, Rome. The Marchigiano ad Honorem prize (17th edition) was awarded to the Italian Ambassador and Secretary General of the Adriatic Ionian Initiative Giovanni Castellaneta.
The awards ceremony was opened by institutional greetings from Senator Antonio De Poli, Commissioner of the Senate of the Republic (video message), followed by speeches of the Honorary President of the Ce.S.Ma H.E. Giorgio Girelli, Ambassador of the Republic of San Marino, of the journalist Rosanna Vaudetti and of the director of the CE.S.MA Pina Gentili.
The 9th Forum of the EU Strategy for the Adriatic-Ionian Region (EUSAIR) was held in Šibenik on May 15-16.
This exceptionally important event brought together representatives from across the region to advance cooperation and development in this macro-regional area. The Forum provided an opportunity for the exchange of ideas and solutions that will aid in building sustainable development, enhancing economic competitiveness, and fostering social cohesion among participating countries.
Within the more general framework of the Forum, the Adriatic Ionian Council / EUSAIR Ministerial meeting took place which adopted the Šibenik Declaration reflecting common achievements and goals for the future. The Declaration emphasizes the commitment of the 10 AII/EUSAIR participating countries to the implementation of the Initiative and the Strategy, setting out guidelines for further steps in strengthening cooperation among countries.
AII Secretary General, Ambassador Castellaneta, recalled during the meeting the importance of the EU enlargement process as a driver for growth, stability and security and the importance of the engagement of civil society and youth in the macroregional process (statement).
Ambassador Castellaneta also participated in the opening session of the 9th EUSAIR Forum (speech), together with Minister Gordan Grlić Radman, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of Croatia, Šime Erlić, Minister of Regional Development and EU Funds of Croatia, Joze Tomaš, Vice President of the Forum of the Adriatic Ionian Chambers of Commerce, representing Civil Society and other local and regional representatives.
After the Ministerial meeting, the AII Chairmanship was handed over from Croatia to Greece.
The Forum provided an opportunity for deep and constructive exchange of views on important issues and challenges we face. Three Round Tables co-organized by the Adriatic Ionian Initiative Permanent Secretariat took place during the Forum:
- the AII Round Table on “Preservation and Promotion of the Mediterranean Diet in the Adriatic and Ionian Region (Well-being, Sustainability and Culture)” organized by the Forum of the Adriatic Ionian Chambers of Commerce and the Forum of the Adriatic Ionian Cities in cooperation with the AII Permanent Secretariat.
- the AII Round Table on “Addressing Transportation Challenges in the Adriatic-Ionian Region” organized by the Forum of the Adriatic Ionian Chambers of Commerce and the Forum of the Adriatic Ionian Cities in cooperation with the AII Permanent Secretariat.
- the Conference on “Civic Engagement of Students: Collaborating with Universities for Global Impact - The Best Practice of ESN-AIR” organized by UniAdrion in cooperation with the AII Permanent Secretariat.