L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, JULY 11, 2024 www.italoamericano.org 32 L'Italo-Americano decisions regarding the con- flict in the Middle East and other crisis areas. We rein- forced measures to address m a j o r g l o b a l c h a l l e n g e s , from food security to energy transition. Together, we are turning these challenges into opportunities. I am particularly thinking of the Mattei Plan for Africa Egnazia, which, under Prime Minister Meloni's leadership, was a great success. At the summit in Puglia, alongside the United States and other allies and partners, we made s i g n i f i c a n t s t r i d e s i n s t r e n g t h e n i n g t h e r u l e s - based international order. We advanced our support for Ukraine and made important a n d t h e P a r t n e r s h i p f o r Global Infrastructure and Investment, as well as our collaborative work on Artifi- cial Intelligence, economic resilience, and sustainable development. The upcoming NATO Summit in Washing- ton will further demonstrate the strength of the transat- lantic alliance and its crucial contribution to peace and security. The Italian-American community, both in Los Angeles and across the West Coast, is significant in number, well-estab- l i s h e d h i s t o r i c a l l y , actively engaged in both A m e r i c a n a n d I t a l i a n progress, and particular- ly dynamic and proac- tive. Our scientists, inno- vators, entrepreneurs, as well as artists and cre- atives, act as a "bridge" to Italy. How important is it to preserve and pro- mote Italian linguistic, cultural, and culinary roots among Americans? I t a l i a n - A m e r i c a n s a n d Italians who have settled on t h e W e s t C o a s t i n r e c e n t years have played a crucial role in its success across all sectors, making areas like Los Angeles and San Francis- co among the most dynamic, creative, and innovative in the United States. Through our Consulates and all the actors of the Sistema Italia in the area, we are committed to maintaining strong con- nections with Italians and fostering every form of col- laboration between them and Italy, benefiting both our countries. Institutions like ISSNAF, which supports a network of over three thou- sand Italian scientists and researchers, are doing extra- ordinary work in promoting exchanges and collaborations with Italy. Similarly, the Ital- ian Innovation and Culture Hub in San Francisco is car- rying out valuable initiatives to bring innovative Italian start-ups and SMEs closer to the Silicon Valley ecosystem. We are determined to sup- port and strengthen these valuable bridges between Italy and the United States. development of new tech- nologies in line with the val- ues of democracy and free- dom. Italy and the United States, great democracies u n i t e d b y s h a r e d v a l u e s , vision, and a deep friend- ship, are working together to chart this path. We demonstrated this at t h e G 7 s u m m i t i n B o r g o Washington twice and she is here now for the NATO sum- mit. Last July, she signed a joint declaration with Presi- dent Biden, reaffirming the depth of the alliance, part- n e r s h i p , a n d f r i e n d s h i p between our two countries a n d o u t l i n i n g a d e t a i l e d a c t i o n p l a n t o f u r t h e r strengthen this relationship in all areas. O u r c o l l a b o r a t i o n h a s intensified across various fronts: politically, in address- ing conflict scenarios from Ukraine to the Middle East; militarily, with our armed forces working together in international missions; and in the cutting-edge fields of science and technology, sup- ported by the thousands of Italian scientists active in leading research institutions across the country. Economi- cally, bilateral trade reached nearly $126 billion in 2023, with the United States solidi- fying its position as the pri- mary destination for Italian exports outside the EU and the second globally. The suc- cess of Made in Italy is fueled not only by traditional sec- tors such as fashion, food, and design but also by high- t e c h i n d u s t r i e s i n c l u d i n g mechanics, pharmaceuticals, shipbuilding, and many other advanced technology sectors. J o e B i d e n r e c e n t l y a t t e n d e d t h e G 7 i n Puglia. How strong and important is the Atlantic alliance and the friend- s h i p b e t w e e n o u r t w o nations, which President Mattarella, Prime Minis- ter Meloni, and Presi- dent Biden have repeat- e d l y e m p h a s i z e d , especially given the glob- al challenges we face? In such a complex global scenario, marked by systemic competition, deep interde- pendence, armed conflicts, and reconfiguring globaliza- tion, the central role of the transatlantic bond is evident. It serves as a driving force f o r b u i l d i n g a n e w w o r l d order that ensures peace, sustainable growth, and the Of the Italian-Americans of the West Coast, Ambassador Zappia says they "have played a crucial role in the West Coast's success across all sectors, making areas like Los Angeles and San Francisco among the most dynamic, creative, and innovative in the United States" CONTINUED FROM PAGE 20 LOS ANGELES ITALIAN COMMUNITY The Vespucci at sea and, top left, during her stay in San Pedro (Photo: Tour Vespucci/Massimo Sestini. © Flavio Massari | Dreamstime.com)

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