(ANSA) - ROME, MAR 23 - Italy is looking to boost cooperation with the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), Mara Carfagna, the minister for the south and for territorial cohesion, told an event at Expo 2020 Dubai on Wednesday.
    "We consider it fundamental to inspire the development of an area of extended cooperation that covers both the Mediterranean and the Indian Ocean," Carfagna told a forum entitled 'Two Oceans, One Challenge' at the Italy Pavilion at Expo 2020.
    "Sharing and exchanging experiences, achieving common objectives, finding innovative solutions to common problems and challenges, giving thrust to our economies and promoting resilient, sustainable development.
    "There is no better place than Dubai, an essential crossroads between the Mediterranean and the Indian Ocean, to announce Italy's intention to further strengthen cooperation with IORA and its member states.
    "I hope that today's event is only the first of many concrete projects that Italy will undertake with IORA in the coming years".
    The forum is the the first meeting involving the IORA and the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) to discuss cutting-edge solutions on the issues of sustainable water management and the future of shipping in the context of the Water Week at Expo 2020.
    As a Mediterranean and maritime country, Italy is acutely aware of the need to develop innovative solutions to counter the negative effects of climate change on coastal communities as well as to ensure the continued viability of shipping activities by making them fully sustainable.
    In addition, Italy believes that it is imperative to deepen international cooperation mechanisms with the aim of sharing such solutions with its Mediterranean and Indian Ocean partners.
    (ANSA).