On Wednesday, July 26th, at 10:00 AM, in the press room of the Chamber of Deputies, located at Via della Missione, n.4 in Rome, the Extraordinary Government Commissioner of the Adriatica Special Economic Zone, Engineer Manlio Guadagnuolo, and the President of the World Free Zones Organization (WFZO), H.E. Dr. Mohammed Alzarooni, will sign the agreement and present the global event AICE 2024 (Annual International Conference Exhibition) of WFZO, to be held in Bari from June 19 to 21, 2024, alongside the G7 summit scheduled during the same period in Puglia.

The press conference will also feature the intervention of the Minister for European Affairs, the South, Cohesion Policies, and the PNRR, Hon. Raffaele Fitto, as well as the participation of the Deputy Minister of Justice, Sen. Francesco Paolo Sisto, and the Undersecretary of State for Health, Hon. Marcello Gemmato.

As is customary for AICE editions, the highest institutional authorities of the host country are usually present. Consequently, invitations have been extended to the Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, and all Ministers of the Italian Government - many of whom have supported the candidacy of the Adriatica Special Economic Zone, leading to its victory in the international competition of the WFZO in Dubai on May 3rd, to host AICE 2024 in Italy.

The participation of numerous parliamentarians from Apulia and Molise is also expected.

AICE is the World Conference and the main international event for approximately 5,000 Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and 2,260 Free Zones from over 140 countries. It brings together top political and institutional authorities, investors, CEOs of major multinational companies, industry experts from around the world, and all stakeholders in the sector on a global level.

AICE is held in different locations around the world every year and has become an unmissable gathering to discuss the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities in the global SEZs and Free Zones sector.

Some of the topics that will be addressed at AICE 2024 will focus on the future of global SEZs:

From artificial intelligence to ICT to digital transformation.
From energy transition to ecological transition, in line with the SDGs (Sustainable Development
Goals) and ESG (Environment, Social, Governance) objectives identified in the UN's 2030 Agenda and embraced within the framework of the Global Alliance of Special Economic Zones (GASEZ).
From the blue economy to another topical theme, such as "infrastructure asset management," for the management and maintenance of infrastructure.
Finally, the new horizons of SEZs, seen not only as trading hubs but also as specialized areas for production chains, allowing for investments in tourism, pharmaceuticals, and healthcare sectors, among others.

AICE 2024 will be a major global event, unique in its sector, and perhaps a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Italy. It will represent an extraordinary occasion to promote the Southern Italy Special Economic Zone and attract investments from significant international players.

 
To facilitate communication among participants, interpreters will be present.