As part of the 2026 Sustainable Development Festival, a national initiative organized by the Italian Alliance for Sustainable Development, the Aquarium of Genoa will host the event “Nel Blu, Dipinto di Blu – Protecting Nature and Generating Prosperity: Climate, Biodiversity and the Economy in the Mediterranean” on Wednesday, May 20th, at 9:00 AM. 

(See the event on the festival website 2026.festivalsvilupposostenibile.it/genova/)

This will be an opportunity to bring attention to the deep connection between biodiversity conservation, the climate crisis, and the future of economic and social systems. The event aims to explore the value of marine and coastal biodiversity not only as natural heritage to be protected, but also as an essential condition for human well-being, community resilience, and economic prosperity. The event will bring together scientists, representatives of institutions and private sector, researchers and members of civil society. The exchange of diverse perspectives, specialized expertise, and practical experience will help highlight key challenges, best practices, and potential pathways forward for the Mediterranean region and

Representing the University of Genoa will be Adriana Del Borghi, Vice Rector for Sustainability, who will also discuss the university’s participation in the National Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC).

PROGRAMME

09:00 – 09:30 Registration

Moderator: Donatella Bianchi, Rai journalist

09:30 – 09:50 Opening Remarks
Tiziana Beghin, Councillor for Trade and Crafts, Tourism, and Territorial Marketing, Municipality of Genoa
Beppe Costa, President and CEO, Costa Edutainment
Enrico Giovannini, Scientific Director, ASviS

09:50 – 10:10 Keynote Speech
Telmo Pievani, Full Professor, Department of Biology, University of Padova

10:10 – 11:10 Nature First: Defending Nature, Building Tomorrow
Simona Bondanza, Head of Sustainability and Public Affairs, Costa Edutainment
Adriana Del Borghi, University of Genoa and National Biodiversity Future Center
Marco Fiandra, Technical Lead, Treedom
Paolo Galli, University of Milano-Bicocca
Silvia Lavorano, Chief Curator, Costa Edutainment
Daniela Picco, MSC Foundation
Serena Rossetto, Head of Environment, Rai for Sustainability – ESG

11:10 – 11:25 Festival Session with the Banda Osiris
11:25 – 11:45 Keynote Speech - Marine Biodiversity: A Common Good for a Sustainable Blue Economy

Roberto Danovaro, Professor of Ecology and Environmental Sustainability, Marche Polytechnic University; Member of the European Academy of Sciences

11:45 – 12:45 Blue Economy and Nature-Based Solutions
Giovanni Cannata, Rector, Università Mercatorum
Andrea Cavalleroni, “A Buon Rendere” Campaign for a Deposit Return System in Italy
Emanuela Clementi, Division Director, Regional Ocean Forecasting Systems, CMCC
Pietro Fiocchi, Vice-Chair, Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety, European Parliament
Stefania Lallai, Vice President Sustainability, MSC Cargo
Andrea Mantero, Director for Members and Consumers, Coop Liguria
Ilaria Potito, Head of ESG Impact Management & Projects, Fibercop

12:45 – 13:05 Closing Remarks
Enrico Giovannini, Scientific Director, ASviS
Nello Musumeci, Minister for Civil Protection and Sea Policies

Registration is required to attend: register here

The full programme is attached.