ROME, JANUARY 15 – Minister Plenipotentiary Alessandro Modiano is Italy’s first Special Envoy for Climate Change. Modiano was appointed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Luigi Di Maio, and the Minister for Ecological Transition (MiTE), Roberto Cingolani.
The decision is a direct consequence of the increasing relevance of climate diplomacy, a key element of Italy’s and EU’s foreign policy. It is also consistent with the leading role that Italy played on climate issues as President of the G20 and co-chairman of COP26 along with the United Kingdom.
57 years old Modiano, appointed by the Minister of Ecological Transition as Director General for the European and International activity of MiTE, will be the reference point for all external climate change policies. In this role, he will carry out an important liaison activity between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and the Ministry for Ecological Transition, acting as reference point for external policies of different Italian Agencies involved in fighting climate change.
Italian climate activists had welcomed the decision by Rome to appoint a special envoy following the example set by other countries to appoint prominent figures to similar roles, such as John Kerry in the United States. “With this appointment, Italy confirms its commitment and determination to reaffirm its leadership on a crucial issue for the survival of our Planet as we know it”, commented Minister Di Maio.
For Minister Cingolani “this appointment further strengthens Italy’s leadership in the fight against climate change and represents another important tool for our country to face the emergency of global warming. With this in mind, the collaboration between the Foreign Ministry and the Ministry for Ecological Transition will enact further opportunities for Italy to implement effective policies at a global level”. (@OnuItalia)
