Sustainability, Blue Economy, and Culture at the Heart of the Adriatic-Ionian Cooperation Debate

Pescara, 27 September 2025 – The XXV General Assembly of the Forum of Adriatic and Ionian Cities (FAIC) took place in the evocative setting of the Sala d’Annunzio at the Aurum Cultural Center in Pescara, presided over by President Luigi Albore Mascia.

The Assembly brought together mayors and institutional representatives from ten countries of the EUSAIR area, confirming the international dimension and vitality of the network. Participating delegations came from Lezhë, Shkodrë, Dubrovnik, Igoumenitsa, Kotor, Urbino, and Ancona, along with representatives from Split and Zadar joining online.

Following the statutory work, the day continued with the institutional conference “Development of the Adriatic-Ionian Area: Sustainability, Blue Economy, and Culture”, which provided a broad exchange among local administrators, experts, and representatives from the academic and diplomatic community.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and Deputy Prime Minister, Antonio Tajani, participated via a video message, reiterating the Italian Government’s support for strengthening cooperation in the Adriatic-Ionian region and for the European integration process of the Western Balkans. “You are at the center of a great team effort,” stated the Minister, “bringing together institutions, businesses, universities, and families. The Government stands by you to enhance the potential of these territories.”

The Mayor of Pescara, Carlo Masci, opened the proceedings, emphasizing that the city, leading the FAIC for the 2024–2026 term, represents an international reference point for territorial cooperation. “The challenges we face – sustainability, economic growth, inclusion – are shared by all cities. Meetings like this give rise to strategies for the future of our communities,” he stated.

In his address, FAIC President Luigi Albore Mascia expressed satisfaction with the participation and the quality of the debate, highlighting the common commitment of member cities to transform ideas into concrete European projects. “This Assembly,” he said, “has strengthened unity among the Forum cities. The presence of numerous international delegations confirmed the strength of our network and its role as a laboratory for cooperation in the Adriatic-Ionian macroregion.”

Following the institutional greetings, the Lectio Magistralis “Adriatic. Civilization of a Sea Between Culture and Identity” was delivered by Prof. Marco Trotta from the “Gabriele d’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara.

The conference included interventions by Pietro Francesco De Lota, President of the Consultative Commission for Industrial Change (CCMI) of the European Economic and Social Committee; Ambassador Fabio Pigliapoco, Head of the Permanent Secretariat of the Adriatic-Ionian Initiative; Eleonora Tramannoni, Secretary General of the FAIC Forum; and Silvia Mangialardo, representing UniAdrion.

This was followed by a panel dedicated to Mayors and city representatives of the FAIC, featuring Pjerin Ndreu, Mayor of Lezhë, Julijana Antić Brautović, Head of the Department of Tourism and Culture of Dubrovnik, and Bekim Mema, Director of the General Directorate for Sustainable Economic Development of Shkoder.

The discussions focused on three main themes – sustainability, blue economy, and culture – with the aim of strengthening synergies between cities and promoting a shared approach to sustainable development, environmental protection, and the enhancement of common cultural heritage.

The initiative was organized under the patronage of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the City of Pescara, the Forum of Adriatic and Ionian Chambers of Commerce (Forum AIC), the Adriatic-Ionian Initiative, and UniAdrion.

With the XXV Assembly in Pescara, the FAIC confirmed its role as a platform for dialogue and cooperation among cities and communities of the Adriatic-Ionian macroregion, promoting multilevel territorial governance capable of translating institutional collaboration into sustainable development and regional cohesion.