Ambassador Zappia Delivers Remarks on Sustainability Practices and Positive Implications during a Two-Day Event in New York City

The Embassy of Italy in Washington sponsored, "Sustainability: From Cost to Profit A forum with Italian and US experts," a two-day event in New York City organized by the Italian Cultural Institute in New York and La Voce di New York. Italian Ambassador to the U.S. Mariangela Zappia delivered the opening remarks at the event.

"The pandemic has been a game changer in terms of sustainability. It hit us hard - and vulnerable countries harder. But this is also a unique opportunity to make a difference and to 'build back better.' As Chair of the G20 and Co-Chair of CoP26, Italy is committed to transforming global challenges into opportunities for a more sustainable, resilient recovery. We put People, Planet, and Prosperity at the core of this mission," said Ambassador Zappia. "Our main priorities include health, the help to the most affected countries in overcoming the effects of the pandemic, food security, and climate change. Moreover, to be sustainable, growth must be inclusive and focus on women's empowerment", she added, highlighting that "To build back better, we need to do it with everyone's participation".

The event coincides with the fifth Edition of the Sustainable Development Festival promoted by Alleanza Italiana per lo Sviluppo Sostenibile (ASviS) and ahead of COP26. The online and in-person event featured remarks from Italian and U.S. experts on the various aspects surrounding sustainability including financial, economic, ecological, cultural, and social. The discussion explored how companies and governments should recognize sustainability as a growth factor as well as how sustainability should be nurtured not only in the field of environment and ecology, but also throughout society, art, and culture.

Featured speakers and panelists across the two-day event included, from the U.S., Richard Haas President of the Council of Foreign Relations and Tensie Whelan, Director of the Center for Sustainable Business at the NYU-Stern Business School among others. The Italian panelists included Marco Alverà, CEO of Snam, Alessandro Benetton, Founder of "21 Invest", and Renzo Rosso, Founder of Diesel, among others.

The organizing committee, coordinated by the Italian Consulate General in New York, included Fabio Finotti, IIC NY-Director; Giampaolo Pioli, President-Ceo "La Voce" di New York"; Cinzia Zuffada, ISSNAF President, Chair of the Board; Alessandro Melis Italian Pavillon - XVII Biennale di Venezia - Curator; Mario Calvo Platero, Chairman Palazzo Strozzi Foundation USA - President GEI; Antonino Laspina, Italian Trade Commissioner

Held in conjunction with the event, the Italian Cultural Institute is hosting an exhibition on sustainable fabrics by Italian fashion houses from October 12-26. For a full list of speakers and to watch the recorded broadcast, please visit "Stanze Italiane", the web platform of the IIC-NY https://www.stanzeitaliane.it/