Italy to present Milan Expo in 180 diplomatic posts June 2

Italy to honour Republic Day promoting world fair globally

(ANSA) - Milan, May 30 - The Italian diplomatic corps on Monday are presenting Milan Expo 2015 in 180 different diplomatic posts with 200 events around the world to celebrate the Italian national holiday Republic Day.

Italian Foreign Minister Federica Mogherini on Thursday made the announcement at a press conference in Milan with Expo Commissioner Giuseppe Sala. Mogherini said the idea for using Italy's seats of representation came from Italian President Giorgio Napolitano. "We have decided to dedicate Republic Day - using the simple celebrations in our embassies and consulates - to present Expo," Mogherini said regarding festivities planned for Republic Day, when Italians honour the anniversary of the historic national vote on June 2, 1946 to abolish monarchy in favour of a republic. "Expo will be a great occasion for Italy to contribute to the global debate on sustainable development," Mogherini added.

The Universal Exposition, which takes place next year from May 31 to October 31, is themed "Feeding the planet. Energy for life", tackling issues such as food security, hunger, nutrition, and promoting environmentally, socially, economically sustainable global food production practices. "We have an enormous challenge - that of guaranteeing access to food for the entire planet and Italy, with the UN and the European Union, is playing a fundamental role," Mogherini said. “It is our precise interest to create accessibility to food for all. These are not nice sentiments, but our duty," Mogherini added. "This is one of the biggest global challenges of the 21st century, with respect to which Italy has a great deal to say in terms of health food and lifestyle," said the Italian ambassador to Washington D.C., Claudio Bisogniero, who called Expo "the most important international event of the coming years in Italy and in the field of food sustainability". Expo is also expected to be "the biggest restaurant in the world" as Expo Commissioner Giuseppe Sala has said, with participants putting the best of their culinary cultures on show. Italy is fanning political figures abroad to speak at the Republic Day presentations. Mogherini is headed to Vienna, while Health Minister Beatrice Lorenzin and Agriculture Minister Maurizio Martina will talk in Washington D.C. and Berlin, respectively.

Milan Mayor Giuliano Pisapia will visit Abu Dhabi, while Lombardy President Roberto Maroni will go to Tokyo. Mogherini added that exhibitor participation in the food themed world fair was already greater than anticipated, explaining that although Turkey has pulled out, and some of the 144 countries that have signed on are now in doubt, such as Indonesia and South Africa, the turnout will still be robust. "International adhesions in Expo are greater than expected when the project began," Mogherini said. "Even if there were fewer than those who confirmed, it would be an extremely large success". "There is also interesting movement of new countries that could confirm," Mogherini added.