-Many initiatives to tell the story of Italy's excellence-

ROME, Nov. 15, 2024 /ANSA=Kyodo JBN/ --

A memorandum of understanding has been signed between ASI, the Italian Space Agency, and the General Commissariat for Italy at Expo 2025 Osaka for the planning and dissemination of initiatives and projects related to aerospace issues.

The memorandum aims to promote national excellence in technologies applied to the space and aerospace field, enhancing the high level of competitiveness of our country in this sector.

The Italian Space Agency, on the occasion of Expo 2025 Osaka, will promote academic and cultural exchanges and will strengthen the partnership with Japan, with particular attention to space activities. The coordination of ASI will guarantee the full involvement of the Italian space system, composed of research institutions, companies and startups, with the aim of supporting its internationalization and attracting investors.

    "Italy presents itself on the global stage of Expo with a significant wealth of knowledge and results in the aerospace sector," said Ambassador Mario Vattani, Commissioner General for Italy at Expo 2025 Osaka. "The collaboration with ASI - the Italian Space Agency - is a precious opportunity to highlight the advanced level of our technology, and to present ourselves as an excellent interlocutor to our international partners, enhancing the projects already active at European, international and Japanese levels."

"The signing of the protocol confirms the important role of space in the international context linked to diplomacy and above all highlights - underlined the president of the Italian Space Agency, Teodoro Valente - the irreplaceable repercussions that the activities of the sector generate for everyday life. At the Osaka Expo, ASI will work to promote the presence of Italian players in the space sector during the event, guaranteeing support to companies, SMEs and start-ups that will be able to present themselves on important international markets, including Asian ones. The signing of this protocol is doubly significant for the considerable collaborative relationships that exist between Italy and Japan also in the space sector, which sees the two agencies, ASI and JAXA, already linked by a long and fruitful strategic partnership that will be strengthened thanks to the participation in the 2025 event. I thank the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and, in particular, the General Commissioner for Italy's participation in Expo 2025 Osaka, Ambassador Mario Andrea Vattani, for this important opportunity."

Seminars, workshops and a multimedia exhibition will tell the story of Italy's role of excellence in the observation of the Earth and the Universe, as well as in space exploration, where Italy participates in international missions such as NASA's Artemis, in collaboration with the Japanese Space Agency (JAXA), for the return to the Moon, and Mars Ice Mapper for mapping the ice on Mars. These projects, together with space surveillance and tracking, highlight the strength of the Italy-Japan bond in global scientific and technological development.

    Expo 2025 will be held in Osaka from April 13 to October 13, 2025 and has the theme "Designing future society for our lives".

    The Italian Pavilion, designed by architect Mario Cucinella, interprets it with "Art regenerates life".

Source: General Commissioner’s Office of Italy for Expo 2025 Osaka