Trieste, 15 November 2018. Representatives of the Italian private sector, academia, regional government and gathered to discuss “Innovation, Competitiveness and Industry 4.0” under the aegis of the Global Manaufacturing and Industrialisation Summit (GMIS). The event was organized by UNIDO and the GMIS Organizing Committee, in cooperation with the government of the Friuli Venezia Giulia autonomous region, AREA Science Park Trieste, World Trade Centre Trieste and UNIDO Investment and Promotion Office (ITPO) Italy.

The roadshow consisted of three discussion sessions, the first of which discussed the potential of Italy’s strategic national plan “Piano Nationale Industria 4.0” for harnessing the Fourth Industrial Revolution, while the second focused on Italy’s vision for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals framework through digital manufacturing. The final segment was an interactive session, soliciting feedback from participants on their top priorities and potential solutions to key challenges facing the manufacturing sector.

Diana Battaggia, Head of UNIDO ITPO Italy, said: “Advanced manufacturing technologies can help production become more efficient and scalable, creating new economic sectors, markets, and opportunities. Green solutions may also become more achievable through 4IR, allowing us to better mitigate and adapt industrial emissions, safeguarding the environment. However, we must also be careful to make sure that the Fourth Industrial Revolution is inclusive. The economic and environmental gains will be wasted if growing numbers of citizens cannot access the 4IR jobs market. Digital inclusion for all people will be crucial,” she underlined.

Following the interactive segment, participants then embarked on a “factories of the future tour” aimed at providing a practical illustration of best practices for the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Wärtsilä Italia S.p. A., who provide smart technologies and complete lifecycle solutions for marine and energy markets, facilitated a guided tour of their Trieste production centre for attendees. The consensus points from the Trieste roadshow will be brought forward to inform the GMIS Summit 2019, to take place in Yekaterinburg, Russian Federation under the theme of “nature-based technologies” in July 2019.