Amb. Pigliapoco at “Connecting through Knowledge” Conference - Ancona, 26 June 2025
Ambassador Fabio Pigliapoco, Head of the Permanent Secretariat of the Adriatic-Ionian Initiative took part in the international conference “Connecting through Knowledge – Socio-economic Data, Infrastructure, Tourism and Sustainable Development in the Adriatic-Ionian Macroregion,” held on 26 June 2025 at the Loggia dei Mercanti in Ancona.
The event, organized by the Forum of the Adriatic and Ionian Chambers of Commerce (Forum AIC) in cooperation with the Marche Chamber of Commerce and the Marche Region, officially launched the 2025 Annual Report of DO-AIR – the Data Observatory of the Adriatic and Ionian Region, developed with the scientific support of Marche Polytechnic University.
DO-AIR, recognized in the recent 2025 Crete Ministerial Declaration as a reference tool for the implementation of the EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region (EUSAIR), aims to be a permanent observatory for the systematic analysis of socio-economic trends in the area.
During the conference, two thematic panels explored the role of data in the sustainable development of the macroregion:
- The first focused on sustainable infrastructure and connectivity, highlighting how data analysis can guide more effective policies and investments.
- The second concentrated on sustainable and integrated tourism, with examples and strategies for a more balanced management of cross-border tourist flows.
Key data from the DO-AIR report include:
- Intra-regional trade has grown by 60% over the past decade, exceeding 80 billion dollars in 2023.
- Foreign direct investment inflows more than doubled between 2014 and 2023.
In his institutional speech, Ambassador Pigliapoco emphasized the importance of promoting a data-driven decision-making process capable of enhancing the effectiveness of public policies in the region. He also highlighted how the work of the DO-AIR Observatory represents a crucial contribution to more integrated macroregional governance, in line with the spirit of the Ancona Declaration.
The Ambassador reiterated the Adriatic-Ionian Initiative’s support for all initiatives that, like this one, aim to strengthen dialogue among institutional, economic, and academic actors. He concluded by expressing the hope that collaboration among observatories, regions, universities, and economic stakeholders will continue in a structured and permanent way.
He also underlined the central role of civil society and the three Fora (Chambers of Commerce, Cities, Universities), officially acknowledged in both the EUSAIR Action Plan (May 2025) and European Commission reports.
This initiative was part of the celebrations for the 25th anniversary of the Ancona Declaration and the founding of the AII, confirming its ongoing relevance and key role in regional cooperation.