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On Wednesday 15 January, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni travelled to Abu Dhabi to be present for Sustainability Week. During her speech, the Italian leader explored the topic of interconnections in relation to the energy transition, describing the matter as ‘a historic challenge’. On the sidelines of the speeches in the various panels, it’s worth mentioning the signing of a tripartite strategic partnership with the Arab Emirates and Albania.
Focus on the Sustainability Week
The Sustainability Week, a global platform organised by Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, had the task of tackling various topics of a global nature; all of them, of course, pertaining to the challenges of sustainability in all its forms. This particular initiative was characterised by the theme ‘The Nexus of Next. Supercharging Sustainable Progress’: a reminder to work synergistically and share ideas, perspectives and intentions. In fact, the ADSW wanted to focus on ‘community’, working so that dialogues – even intercontinental ones – could be established, bringing together government officials, industry leaders, entrepreneurs, youth and other stakeholders to make a breakthrough in what is defined as ‘collective sustainable development’ and ensure that economic, social and environmental progress can travel on the same track.
Shortly before the actual start of the Sustainability Week, Abdulla Humaid Al Jarwan, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy, shared several thoughts on the political event, mentioning that the main goal is to ‘create opportunities’. Al Jarwan was keen to emphasise how the Department he heads is also setting global benchmarks through the application of ‘enabling policies and regulations’. A reference, later taken and developed also by President Meloni, to energy transformation as ‘a shared responsibility’ that must enable a future that has different connotations from those that currently qualify the state of things: hence more sustainability, more prosperity.
A historic challenge: the agreement with Albania and the United Arab Emirates
Giorgia Meloni was among the leaders who took part in the international event. The participation was not just for the purpose of sharing a testimony: the President was also present at the signing – signature made, on behalf of Italy, by Minister Pichetto – of a trilateral agreement with Albania and the Arab Emirates for the development of renewable energies in Albania and their export to Italy via an undersea power cable.
As the Ministry of Environment and Energy Transition specifies, this is a strategic partnership to strengthen collaboration in the field of renewable energy and strategic infrastructure.
The parties involved emphasised that this new interaction represents a considerable step in relation to the issue of energy security, but also in the promotion of sustainable development and acceleration towards energy transition. The text, Palazzo Chigi made public in a note, goes on to define how the three countries can work together to make this happen; reference is also made to the realisation of renewable energy projects in Albania, with a ‘particular focus on solar photovoltaic, wind and hybrid solutions with battery storage potential’.
Minister Pichetto, therefore, outlined this partnership as a strengthening deal for Italy, also at the international level, aimed at meeting the ambitious goals set during the COP28 in Dubai.
Giorgia Meloni’s speech at the Sustainability Week in Abu Dhabi
‘The energy transition is a historic challenge,’ these were the words of Giorgia Meloni. The Prime Minister made it clear that, from her point of view, it is the interconnections that make the difference, that enable the achievement of important goals. For there to be tangible development, according to Meloni, it would be necessary to create ‘a new energy diplomacy’ that would generate opportunities for cooperation between countries, the fruits of which would then be harvested evenly. For these reasons, the Italian Prime Minister added, ‘Italy wants to become a strategic hub for energy flows between Europe and Africa’.
Meloni, as reported by official sources, then held a bilateral meeting with the President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, where they discussed various issues including the appropriate ways to further strengthen bilateral relations on the basis of the strategic partnership launched two years ago, in 2023.
The following topics were also explored: collaboration in the energy and interconnection sector, innovations in the artificial intelligence field, investment opportunities in the two countries and, finally, the revival of cooperation in the defence sector.