Milan showcases its bid to host 2015 Expo
'Feeding the planet, energy of life' is the theme that the Italian city of Milan is hoping to explore, should it win the bid to host the 2015 Universal Exhibition (Expo 2015). Representatives from the city and the Italian Government were in Brussels on 28 March to share with MEPs the spirit and philosophy of their bid, which places a great emphasis on the importance of scientific and technological discoveries. Since they started in the mid-19th century, Universal Exhibitions have been taking on themes that affect the full gamut of human experience. In keeping with tradition, the Milan bid proposes to tackle the issue of sustainable development, and in particular, the idea that everyone on the planet should have access to safe and nutritional food. The other city in the race is Izmir, in Turkey. Among the subjects to be addressed by the exhibition, should Milan win, will be the latest scientific innovations for safeguarding consumer health. The Expo hopes to attract the international scientific community to meet, debate and consider, among other subjects, the prevention and cures of diseases deriving from poor nutrition; improving the means of monitoring possible forms of food adulteration; analysis and investigation of potential food pandemics derived from pathogenic agents from animals to humans; and biotechnology. The Italian bid also outlines plans to showcase some of the most advanced techniques to improve farm production and protect biodiversity. Dietary education, innovation in the food supply, and solidarity and cooperation would also feature at the event. Speaking at the European Parliament on 28 March, Letizia Moratti, former Minister of Education, University and Research, and current Mayor of Milan, pointed to some frightening statistics that led the city to choose the theme of food and sustainable development. Some 850 million people suffer from malnutrition in the world, while more than 1 billion lack access to clean drinking water. 'We chose this theme because we believe that Milan and the Europe should play a leading role in feeding the planet and providing energy for life,' said Ms Moratti. 'We can no longer dodge our responsibilities.' Ms Moratti also highlighted the importance of the year 2015. In addition to the Expo taking place, 2015 is also the target date of the Millennium Development Goals. In light of this, it was decided to make a link between the two events 'because the objectives are the same, to eliminate extreme poverty and hunger', said Ms Moratti. She added that the Expo aimed to provide a platform to discuss developing countries' needs within the framework of the proposed themes. Another reason for choosing the theme of food was in order to showcase and share with others Milan's and Italy's traditions, experience and know-how. Milan is Italy's second-largest farming district and accounts for 22% of Italian agricultural exports. The city also boasts 1,897 companies in the health and hygiene industry, and some 20,000 people working in research. Italy's relationship with food is very rich, and it is perhaps for this reason that the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations are headquartered here. Also speaking at the event, Emma Bonino, Italian Minister for Foreign Trade and European Policy, emphasised that the themes proposed by the Milan bid are closely aligned with EU policies, and it was therefore important for other Member States and the EU institutions to get involved. She noted that the Commissioners for Health, Humanitarian Aid and Research had already given their backing to the bid, and she encouraged the MEPs present to do the same. The decision over which city will host the World Expo 2015 will be taken in March 2008 by the International Exhibitions Bureau.
Countries
Italy