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AII COMMITTEE OF SENIOR OFFICIALS – BRUSSELS, 9 OCTOBER 2024
The first AII Committee of Senior Officials (CSO) under Hellenic Chairmanship was held in Brussels on October 9, 2024.
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Ancona Named Italian Capital of Culture 2028
The city of Ancona has been officially designated Italian Capital of Culture 2028, a prestigious national title awarded annually by the Italian Ministry of Culture to promote cultural development, innovation, and territorial regeneration across the country.
The recognition follows a competitive selection process involving several candidate cities and is accompanied by significant national visibility and funding aimed at supporting cultural projects and long-term urban transformation.
An Award Recognizing Vision and Openness
According to the evaluation committee, Ancona’s proposal was deemed “excellent”, standing out for its broad and contemporary vision of culture. The winning dossier highlights the city’s strong identity as a bridge between the Adriatic, the Mediterranean, and Europe, as well as its historical vocation for openness, dialogue, and exchange.
At the core of the project lies the idea of culture as a driver of sustainable development, social cohesion, and innovation. The programme combines urban regeneration, cultural production, youth engagement, and accessibility, with the ambition of leaving a lasting legacy beyond 2028.
The project also places particular emphasis on Ancona’s maritime dimension and its role as a “city-port”, where cultural heritage, natural landscapes, and creative industries converge into a dynamic and forward-looking ecosystem.
A European and International Dimension
Ancona’s designation carries a strong European and international significance. The city has long been a key hub for regional cooperation in the Adriatic-Ionian area and plays a central role within the Adriatic-Ionian Initiative and the EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region (EUSAIR).
As highlighted in the winning dossier, Ancona is not only geographically but also institutionally positioned as a gateway between Italy, the Balkans, and the wider Mediterranean. Its cultural programme for 2028 aims to further strengthen these connections through international partnerships, cultural networks, and cross-border cooperation.
The Role of the AII Permanent Secretariat
Ancona is also home to the Permanent Secretariat of the Adriatic-Ionian Initiative, reinforcing its role as a center for dialogue and cooperation in South-East Europe.
In this context, the Secretariat warmly welcomes the designation of Ancona as Italian Capital of Culture 2028 and reaffirms its commitment to actively supporting the city in maximizing the international dimension of this important opportunity. Building on its experience in fostering regional cooperation, the Secretariat will work to promote synergies, partnerships, and initiatives that can enhance the visibility and impact of Ancona 2028 across the Adriatic-Ionian region and beyond.
Looking Ahead
The title of Italian Capital of Culture represents not only a recognition of Ancona’s rich cultural heritage and dynamic vision, but also a strategic opportunity to strengthen its role as a cultural and institutional hub at the European level.
As preparations begin, Ancona is set to embark on a transformative journey that will further position the city as a laboratory of culture, innovation, and international cooperation—fully aligned with the values and mission of the Adriatic-Ionian Initiative.
AII SG at Conference on “Ports at the core of a Adriatic-Ionian Region: cooperation and competitiveness towards the sustainable transition" - 27 February, Ancona
On 27 February 2026, Ambassador Castellaneta, Secretary General of the Adriatic-Ionian Initiative, took part in the event “Ports at the core of an Adriatic-Ionian Region: cooperation and competitiveness towards the sustainable transition”, hosted by the Central Adriatic Sea Port Authority in Ancona.
The one-day meeting brought together representatives of the International Maritime Organization, the European Commission, the European Parliament, port authorities and key stakeholders from the maritime and logistics sectors to discuss the implications of the Mediterranean Sea’s designation as an Emission Control Area (ECA), as well as the strategic role of ports as hubs for energy transition, competitiveness and intermodal connectivity across the Adriatic-Ionian macro-region.
In his remarks, Ambassador Castellaneta underlined that ports are not merely infrastructures, but true “gates of Europe”: economic, energy and cultural connectors linking countries, markets and communities. Strengthening transport corridors, enhancing intermodality and advancing environmental sustainability, he stressed, means building the concrete foundations for deeper and more credible European integration, particularly for the Western Balkans. Physical connections, he noted, often anticipate and accompany political ones.
The Secretary General also recalled the 25th anniversary of the Adriatic-Ionian Initiative, celebrated last June in Ancona, describing it as an important milestone to reflect on the achievements of the past twenty-five years and to further strengthen the Initiative’s long-term commitment to cooperation in the Region.
Looking ahead, Ambassador Castellaneta outlined the upcoming milestones of the Adriatic-Ionian Initiative calendar: the meeting of Senior Officials in Ohrid (4–5 March), the annual Conference of Speakers of Parliament in April – which will focus in particular on the development of corridors VIII and X – and the Ministerial Meeting at the end of May, marking the conclusion of the North Macedonian Presidency and the beginning of the Italian Presidency of the Initiative.
Reaffirming that European integration remains the Initiative’s guiding star, Ambassador Castellaneta highlighted that enhanced port cooperation and connectivity are not only drivers of sustainable growth, but also essential instruments to consolidate the European perspective of the Adriatic-Ionian Region.
AII Committee of Senior Officials meets in Ohrid - 4 March 2026
On 4 March 2026, the meeting of the Committee of Senior Officials (CSO) of the Adriatic-Ionian Initiative (AII) took place in Ohrid, under the Chairmanship of North Macedonia, bringing together representatives of participating countries and the AII Permanent Secretariat.
The meeting provided an opportunity to review the progress of the Chairmanship’s programme and to exchange views on the main activities carried out in recent months in support of regional cooperation and the European integration of the Western Balkans. Among the initiatives highlighted were high-level discussions on migration governance and cooperation with regional organisations, as well as activities promoting academic mobility and youth engagement across the Adriatic-Ionian area.
Senior Officials were informed that the drafting process of the annual AII/EUSAIR Ministerial Declaration has started in view of the forthcoming Adriatic-Ionian Council. As in previous years, the document will reflect the “double-hat” nature of the governance of the Adriatic-Ionian region, ensuring coherence between the intergovernmental dimension of the AII and the macro-regional framework of the EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region (EUSAIR).
Participants were also updated on the preparations for the XX Conference of the Presidents/Speakers of AII Parliaments, which will take place in Skopje on 23–24 April 2026. The Conference will focus on two main themes: promoting peace and stability through parliamentary diplomacy and strengthening regional connectivity, with particular attention to the development of Corridors VIII and X.
During the meeting, delegations also discussed the future order of AII Chairmanships, in light of recent developments within the EUSAIR framework, with the aim of maintaining coherence and alignment between the two governance systems.
Delegations were further informed about the current state of play regarding the request submitted by Cyprus to join the Adriatic-Ionian Initiative and EUSAIR.
The CSO confirmed the continued commitment of participating countries to strengthening political dialogue, regional connectivity and cooperation within the Adriatic-Ionian macro-region.
The minutes of the meeting will be circulated to delegations in due course.
On the margins of the CSO, the 26th Governing Board Meeting of the EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region (EUSAIR) was also held in Ohrid on 4–5 March. On that occasion, Ambassador Giovanni Castellaneta, Secretary General of the Adriatic-Ionian Initiative, reported to the Governing Board on the main outcomes of the discussions held within the CSO framework.
The Adriatic Ionian Initiative mourns the passing of Ambassador Fabio Pigliapoco
The Adriatic Ionian Initiative expresses its profound sadness at the passing of Ambassador Fabio Pigliapoco.
During his years of service, both as Secretary General of the Adriatic-Ionian Initiative and later as Head of its Permanent Secretariat, based in Ancona, Ambassador Pigliapoco devoted his work to strengthening cooperation, cohesion and mutual understanding across the Adriatic-Ionian region.
Throughout his professional life, he worked tirelessly to promote a prosperous, stable and cohesive Adriatic-Ionian area, firmly believing in dialogue as the primary tool to foster peace, trust and cooperation among countries. He distinguished himself for his ability to build bridges between institutions and nations, encouraging constructive dialogue and a long-term vision for the region.
A strong advocate of European integration, Ambassador Pigliapoco consistently supported the European perspective of the Western Balkans, viewing enlargement not only as a strategic priority, but also as a moral and political responsibility for the future of Europe.
Beyond his institutional roles, he will be remembered as a man of high values, integrity and profound humanity, who left a lasting mark on the Adriatic-Ionian Initiative and on all those who had the privilege to work with him.
The Adriatic-Ionian Initiative extends its heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones.
L’Iniziativa Adriatico Ionica esprime il proprio profondo cordoglio per la scomparsa dell’Ambasciatore Fabio Pigliapoco.
Nel corso degli anni, sia nel ruolo di Segretario Generale dell’Iniziativa Adriatico-Ionica sia successivamente come Capo del Segretariato Permanente, con sede ad Ancona, l’Ambasciatore Pigliapoco ha dedicato il proprio impegno al rafforzamento della cooperazione, della coesione e della comprensione reciproca nella regione adriatico-ionica.
Nel corso della sua vita professionale ha lavorato instancabilmente per promuovere un’area adriatico-ionica prospera, stabile e coesa, credendo fermamente nel dialogo come principale strumento per favorire la pace, la fiducia e la cooperazione tra i Paesi. Si è distinto per la sua capacità di costruire ponti tra istituzioni e nazioni, incoraggiando un dialogo costruttivo e una visione di lungo periodo per la regione.
Convinto sostenitore dell’integrazione europea, l’Ambasciatore Pigliapoco ha costantemente supportato la prospettiva europea dei Balcani occidentali, considerandone l’allargamento non solo una priorità strategica, ma anche una responsabilità morale e politica per il futuro dell’Europa.
Oltre ai ruoli istituzionali ricoperti, sarà ricordato come un uomo di grandi valori, integrità e profonda umanità, che ha lasciato un segno duraturo nell’Iniziativa Adriatico-Ionica e in tutti coloro che hanno avuto il privilegio di lavorare con lui.
L’Iniziativa Adriatico-Ionica rivolge le più sentite condoglianze alla sua famiglia e ai suoi cari.