Trieste, June 29, 2023 — A Press Conference was held today organized by UNIDO ITPO Italy and World Trade Center Trieste to announce that the Global Manufacturing and Industrialisation Summit (GMIS) will host its roadshow series in the city of Trieste in November 2023.

GMIS Connect – Trieste aims to gather key industry leaders and experts from Italy to drive in-depth discussions around green hydrogen technologies, effective policies, and strategies to navigate the climate crisis in the context of manufacturing and beyond.

Co-chaired by the United Arab Emirates Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), the Global Manufacturing and Industrialisation Summit (GMIS) brings together leaders from the global manufacturing and technology communities to discuss, debate, and shape the future of manufacturing. The Summit aims to place manufacturing at the heart of economic regeneration and government policymaking and utilise technology as a tool for global cooperation and collaboration.

The event was attended by Ketty Segatti representing the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region, Dino Fortunato, Chief Technical Advisor of UNIDO ITPO Italy, Massimiliano Ciarrocchi, Director of Confindustria Alto Adriatico, and Namir Hourani, Managing Director of the Global Manufacturing and Industrialisation Summit (virtual). Also present at the panel were Rodolfo Taccani, Rector's Delegate for Technology Transfer and Territorial Relations for the University of Trieste and Salvatore Dore, Contamination Lab Contact Person for the University of Trieste.

"We are excited to kick-off the 2023 Roadshow series of the Global Manufacturing and Industrialization Summit, GMIS Connect, in the captivating city of Trieste. We extend our gratitude to our co-chairs, the UAE Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technologies and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, and our long-standing partners, Confindustria, World Trade Centre Trieste and the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region, for their support. With a shared vision for global action toward a sustainable future and a mutual belief in the value of collaboration, both Italy and the United Arab Emirates have set ambitious goals for carbon neutrality, invested in renewable energy sources, implemented policies to promote green technological solutions, and committed to developing a sustainable economy hinged on green hydrogen. I look forward to welcoming leaders from the technology and manufacturing communities to discuss innovative solutions, partnerships and initiatives that will help reduce the carbon footprint of the manufacturing sector," said Namir Hourani.

"It is an honor to once again welcome an initiative such as GMIS to Trieste, which benefits the institutions and businesses of the entire Friuli Venezia Giulia territory. Today's Press Conference is only the initial announcement of a higher and more complex involvement of the local, institutional and business community, which is asked for concrete evidence of implementing strategies, tools and solutions strongly inspired by an eco-sustainable economic development. As WTC Trieste, we promoted an agreement signed in Vienna in 2018 between the United Nations Industrial Development Organization and the World Trade Centers Association (WTCA), which allowed us to amplify the reach of GMIS by fostering its internationalization through hosting Roadshows in other WTCs in the network as well. This year more than ever we are ready to make our contribution and support the challenges that will arise in this regard," added Cristina Sbaizero, CEO of World Trade Center Trieste and Member of the Board of Directors of WTCA based in New York.

During the Press Conference, all participants highlighted the significant achievements already made at the regional and local levels. The Friuli Venezia Giulia Region has long been at the forefront of driving innovation, sustainability, and renewable energy with numerous initiatives aimed at developing international collaborations between universities and businesses. This remarkable track record has led to its selection as the next venue for the GMIS Roadshow.

As part of the region’s green initiatives, the “YES! Call 2023 - Sustainable Innovative Solutions from Friuli Venezia Giulia” was launched today during the press conference. Organized by UNIDO's Italian Technology and Investment Promotion Office (ITPO Italy) and the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region (FVG) with the support of CLab UniTS as part of the “Boosting Youth Engagement for Sustainable Innovation” project, this initiative aims to identify and select highly innovative and sustainable ideas from young individuals under the age of 30 in the FVG Region. Selected participants will have the opportunity to upgrade their skills through training programs and workshops in Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates.

Mark your calendars for GMIS Connect – Trieste in September, and stay tuned for further updates.