The Italian Presidency of the EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region (EUSAIR) for 2026–2027 was officially launched in Rome on 28 July during a high-level event held at Unioncamere's Horti Sallustiani Conference Centre, bringing together representatives of the Italian Government, the European Commission, regional authorities and key stakeholders from across the Adriatic-Ionian area. The event marked the beginning of Italy's Presidency under the motto "Identity, Cohesion, European Integration", reaffirming the strategic importance of the Adriatic-Ionian macro-region at a time of profound geopolitical change and renewed momentum for EU enlargement. Opening the conference, Unioncamere Secretary General Giuseppe Tripoli underlined the importance of a bottom-up approach to macro-regional cooperation, highlighting the role of economic actors, chambers of commerce and infrastructure development in strengthening territorial cohesion. He reaffirmed the readiness of the Italian chamber system to actively support the Italian Presidency through the Forum of the Adriatic and Ionian Chambers of Commerce, further strengthening the contribution of the business community to macro-regional cooperation. Italian Minister for European Affairs, PNRR and Cohesion Policies Tommaso Foti stressed that the Presidency builds upon the work initiated during the previous Presidency, officially handed over in Skopje last May. He thanked the Adriatic-Ionian Initiative (AII) and Secretary General Ambassador Giovanni Castellaneta for their continuous support to EUSAIR. Minister Foti reiterated that EU enlargement to the Western Balkans remains one of Italy's foremost foreign policy priorities, while emphasizing that progress must continue to be based on merit and the rule of law. He also highlighted the importance of addressing demographic decline through the "Right to Stay" initiative, tackling climate challenges and promoting territorial cohesion, including improved connectivity and digital infrastructure. European Commission Executive Vice-President and Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms Raffaele Fitto described EUSAIR as the macro-regional strategy with the largest participation of non-EU countries, making it a unique platform to accompany the enlargement process. He stressed that strengthening the EU's external dimension and reinforcing the Single Market are complementary priorities for the current European Commission. Although macro-regional strategies do not have dedicated financial instruments, he recalled that they can effectively mobilise cohesion policy resources and Interreg programmes. Commissioner Fitto also highlighted three flagship initiatives currently promoted by the Commission: a strategy for islands and coastal communities, the Right to Stay initiative addressing depopulation and territorial disparities, and a new European tourism strategy, while underlining the need to fully engage young people in shaping the future of the region. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani reaffirmed that the Western Balkans remain a strategic priority for Italy and that supporting their European path is a cornerstone of Italian foreign policy. He also outlined several flagship connectivity projects, including the development of transport corridors, railway links and energy market integration, stressing that greater regional connectivity is essential both for political stability and for strengthening trade and economic relations throughout the Adriatic-Ionian area. Regional perspectives were also brought to the discussion. Francesca Pantaloni, Regional Minister of the Marche Region, highlighted the importance of governance at all levels, stakeholder participation and cooperation among Adriatic ports, while recalling initiatives aimed at promoting the Mediterranean Diet as a shared cultural heritage. In a video message, Massimiliano Fedriga, President of the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region and President of the Conference of Italian Regions, emphasised the importance of territorial cohesion and regional cooperation in responding to today's challenges. MEP Carlo Ciccioli underlined that the current geopolitical context offers a timely opportunity to relaunch the Adriatic-Ionian macro-region, noting the growing strategic importance of the Mediterranean and announcing the establishment of a dedicated parliamentary working group on EUSAIR. Speaking during the session dedicated to the Italian Presidency, AII Secretary General Ambassador Giovanni Castellaneta reaffirmed that, in today's challenging international environment, strengthening regional cooperation is no longer simply an opportunity but a political necessity. He recalled that supporting the European integration of the Western Balkans remains the Adriatic-Ionian Initiative's core mission and pledged the Permanent Secretariat's full technical, organisational and political support throughout the Italian Presidency. Ambassador Castellaneta also outlined the main AII institutional milestones that will accompany the Presidency, including the meetings of the Committee of Senior Officials, the Conference of Presidents of the Adriatic-Ionian Parliaments and the Adriatic-Ionian Council in 2027. He highlighted the central role of scholarships, internships and youth initiatives, together with the contribution of the three AII Fora of Chambers of Commerce, Cities and Universities, whose extensive networks embody the Initiative's distinctive bottom-up approach to regional cooperation. The technical part of the programme continued with contributions from Elisa Cocco (European Commission, DG REGIO), Zuica Zmejkovska (Ministry for European Affairs of North Macedonia, representing the outgoing EUSAIR Presidency), Michele Palma (Head of the Department for Cohesion Policies of the Italian Presidency of the Council of Ministers and Main Coordinator of the Italian EUSAIR Presidency) and Nicola Verola, Director General for Europe and International Trade Policy at the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. The launch event confirmed Italy's ambition to use its Presidency to strengthen political dialogue, deepen regional cooperation and accelerate the European integration of the Western Balkans, while reinforcing EUSAIR as a strategic framework for cohesion, connectivity and sustainable development across the Adriatic-Ionian region.