As part of the partnership with UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC), the flag-raising ceremony for the “UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development” banner on the Amerigo Vespucci school ship was held on 22 June in the Principality of Monaco.
The ceremony is part of the celebrations for World Hydrography Day (21 June) and the centenary of the founding of the International Hydrographic Organisation (IHO).
Ambassador Massimo Riccardo, Permanent Delegate of Italy to UNESCO, took part in the flag-raising ceremony and was welcomed on board the ship Vespucci in the presence of Captain Gianfranco Bacchi, together with the Italian Ambassador in Monaco Giulio Alaimo, the Director of the UNESCO Regional Bureau for Science and Culture in Europe Ana Luiza Massot Thompson-Flores, the Secretary General IHO Mathias Jonas and the Director of the Hydrographic Institute of the Navy, Rear Admiral Massimiliano Nannini.
“UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development” is the United Nations’ initiative that aims to direct the scientific community, governments, the private sector and civil society towards a common research and technological innovation agenda for the oceans, in the framework of the broader Agenda of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 2030). Ambassador Massimo Riccardo underlined the importance of the Italian Navy collaboration with the UNESCO Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC):
“Global threats can only be tackled through cooperation. And the one born between UNESCO and the Italian Navy with the Vespucci ship is a cooperation that reflects common values that are based on teaching the attitudes necessary to understand the value and importance of the oceans. Nave Vespucci, as the training ship of an ancient institution rich in tradition such as the Italian Navy, is committed, together with UNESCO, to transmitting these values synthesised in the symbol of the Decade of the Oceans campaign depicted in the banner hoisted on shore this morning”.
To read more about this event, click here.