Launch of the DO-AIR Observatory: A Strategic Tool for Adriatic-Ionian region - Ancona, 20 December 2024
On December 20, 2024, the DO-AIR Observatory (Osservatorio Dati della Regione Adriatico-Ionica) was officially launched at the Marche Region headquarters in Ancona. The event, organized by the Marche Region in collaboration with the Marche Chamber of Commerce, the Forum of the Adriatic and Ionian Chambers of Commerce, and the Marche Polytechnic University, marked a significant step forward in fostering regional integration and sustainable development across the Adriatic-Ionian area.
The DO-AIR Observatory is a structured and permanent platform designed to monitor and analyze socio-economic and infrastructural data within the Adriatic-Ionian Region. It provides an integrated approach to collecting and interpreting key metrics, including trade flows, investments, demographics, maritime and air traffic, and environmental indicators. By offering comprehensive, reliable, and up-to-date data, the Observatory aims to guide policymakers, businesses, and institutions in making informed decisions that align with the objectives of the EU Strategy for the Adriatic-Ionian Region (EUSAIR).
The event began with institutional greetings from Ambassador Fabio Pigliapoco, Head of the Permanent Secretariat of the Adriatic-Ionian Initiative. He emphasized the pivotal role of the three Fora—the Forum of Chambers of Commerce, the Forum of Cities, and UniAdrion—in driving regional cooperation and fostering the growth of the Adriatic-Ionian Macroregion. "The Fora are the heart of the AII’s efforts," noted Ambassador Pigliapoco, highlighting their critical contributions to the region’s political, economic, and social evolution. He also underscored the DO-AIR Observatory as a cornerstone for regional cooperation, calling it an essential tool for fostering connectivity, addressing shared challenges, and promoting sustainable growth.
Gian Luca Gregori, Rector of Marche Polytechnic University, participated via video message, stressing the essential role of academia in the region’s development. He highlighted the Observatory’s capacity to strengthen cultural and economic ties across the Adriatic-Ionian area, describing it as a bridge between the Western and Balkan regions. Rector Gregori emphasized how academic institutions, alongside platforms like DO-AIR, can foster knowledge exchange, innovation, and shared progress in a region with diverse cultural and economic landscapes.
Mario Becchetti, Secretary General of the Marche Region, outlined how DO-AIR integrates seamlessly into the EUSAIR Strategy’s framework, supporting cross-border cooperation and regional policy alignment. He highlighted the Observatory’s focus on creating a shared database that consolidates fragmented information, enabling stakeholders to develop strategies based on concrete data. This initiative is particularly relevant for monitoring the region’s evolving dynamics in trade, investment, and environmental sustainability.
The Observatory’s scientific backbone is provided by Marche Polytechnic University, particularly its Research and Innovation Center, which ensures a rigorous methodological approach. This collaboration aims to harmonize data collection and analysis, addressing the long-standing challenge of fragmented and inconsistent datasets across the region.
During the event, Carlo Ciccioli, Member of the European Parliament, stressed the importance of the Observatory in raising the region’s profile within European institutions. He emphasized how DO-AIR could enhance visibility for the EUSAIR Strategy while providing actionable insights to support initiatives in trade, environmental sustainability, and economic integration.
Michele De Vita, Secretary General of the Forum of Chambers of Commerce, further elaborated on the Observatory’s role, describing it as a “strategic tool” for fostering cohesion and competitiveness. De Vita emphasized that the data collected through DO-AIR will allow stakeholders to identify gaps, respond to challenges, and leverage opportunities in sectors such as export-driven manufacturing and maritime transport.
Anna Cingoli, Project Manager of the Forum, provided insights into the Observatory’s focus on trade and logistics. She presented key findings, including data on export-import trends and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on maritime transport, which experienced a significant contraction in 2020.
Moderated by Eleonora Tramannoni, Executive Manager of the Forum of Chambers of Commerce, the discussions highlighted the Observatory’s capability to provide comprehensive data on trade, investments, demographics, maritime and air traffic, and environmental dynamics. This data aims to guide policy decisions and foster deeper cross-border collaboration.
The event concluded with speeches by Francesco Acquaroli, President of the Marche Region, and Gino Sabatini, President of the Forum AIC and the Marche Chamber of Commerce. President Acquaroli described the DO-AIR Observatory as an “essential instrument” for understanding the challenges and opportunities of the Adriatic-Ionian Region. By providing accurate data and analysis, the Observatory will help policymakers and businesses craft strategies that address pressing issues such as economic disparities and environmental challenges.
President Sabatini underscored the importance of DO-AIR in strengthening the Marche Region’s role as a hub for regional cooperation. He praised the Observatory’s ability to harmonize efforts across borders, contributing to a more interconnected and resilient Adriatic-Ionian Macroregion.
The DO-AIR Observatory represents a significant milestone in the Adriatic-Ionian Region’s journey towards integration and sustainable development. By offering a comprehensive and systematic approach to data analysis, it lays the groundwork for evidence-based policymaking, fostering collaboration and innovation across borders. The AII remains committed to supporting this initiative as a model for advancing regional prosperity and inclusivity.