MILANO – The formal participation contract of the EU in the Expo Milano 2015 was signed yesterday in Milan in the presence of the President of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso and the Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta.
The participation contract was signed by David Wilkinson, Commissioner General to the World Exhibition in Milan 2015 for the European Commission, by Giuseppe Sala, Commissioner of the Government of Italy for Expo Milano 2015 and by the General Commissioner for the Italian Pavilion Diana Bracco.
The EU exhibition will illustrate the EU’s key role in global food security in line with the EXPO theme “Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life”. On 1.500 sqm the EU pavilion will showcase how EU policies address this world-wide challenge.
Feeding the planet entails more than just food supply. It requires well-functioning market and trading systems, clear standards on food safety while respecting the global environment, human rights and guaranteeing peace.
This edition of the Expo aims to become a milestone of planetary debate on food and sustainability and will be a platform for political discussions and policy initiatives on these issues.
In this context, the EU theme statement will be: “Growing Europe’s Future Together for a Better World”. Connecting with the themes of the Expo, it will involve the visitor in the development of a sustainable future for Europe and the world.
David Wilkinson who is Director for Scientific Policy and Stakeholder Relations at the European Commission’s in-house scientific service, the Joint Research Centre (JRC) commented:
“We strongly welcome this unparalleled opportunity to present EU food-related systems and policies as well as our actions aimed at improving food security in the world.
The EU Expo exhibition will tell a compelling story of best practices – solutions already in place and visions of future accomplishments.”
Giuseppe Sala, Commissioner of the Government of Italy for Expo Milano 2015, explained: “We are very pleased with the commitment and the enthusiastic approach that the EU has shown in organizing its presence at the Universal Exhibition.
For the great expertise in food, will be a key player in the economic and social debate that Expo Milano 2015 intends to develop. We are at a turning point for the Universal Exhibition.
The project is taking shape on the site and also outside, in the interesting interpretations of the theme that countries and international organizations are providing, as evidenced by the signing of today.”
The JRC has been chosen to coordinate the EU participation to the Expo Milano 2015 because of its strong scientific and technical competence in the theme of the Expo and the proximity of JRC’s Ispra site to Milan.
Its scientific activities underpin all relevant EU policies – agriculture, industry, trade, development and humanitarian aid, food safety and quality, energy, climate change, environment and innovation – with independent, evidence-based scientific and technical support throughout the whole policy cycle
The Coffee Cluster
Coffee will be the sole and exciting protagonist of pathways, conferences and exhibitions in a dedicated cluster at Expo Milano 2015.
The Coffee Cluster will bring together the world’s largest producers of the precious bean, such as Costa Rica, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Honduras, Kenya, Nicaragua and Uganda.
Together under the same architectural structure, these Countries will share ideas and experiences, unveiling to the visitors how fragrances make each blend unique and inimitable.
In the Cluster’s common spaces, people will discover the importance of this plant and its products with exhibitions and events dedicated to coffee, and meet different cultures and rituals born around the fruits of the “Tree of golden beans”, as it is called in Kenya.
The Countries’ traditions will be enhanced by a rich and varied calendar of events, exhibitions and meetings, designed to promote the dialogue between cultures and traditions and to capitalize on their unique heritage of experience and knowledge.
Expo Milano 2015 will also join the International Coffee Organization (ICO) program for the promotion and development, a benchmark for the whole industry.
The Coffee Cluster will thus become the ideal place in which to address the critical challenges for the planet: from nutrition to the development of a sustainable agriculture.
