Expo a ‘window’ to discuss poverty, nutrition says premier
(ANSA) – Milan, November 27 – Milan Expo 2015 will provide a global forum to discuss such important issues as poverty and nutrition, Premier Enrico Letta said Wednesday.
Speaking via video to a forum hosted by Italian pasta manufacturer Barilla, Letta said that because the world’s fair will have food security as its theme, it can also provide a context for discussions of the treatment of children and women in the world.
“(In 2015) Milan will be the capital of food and nutrition and for those six months of Expo, a window of opportunity will open on topics such as nutrition, poverty, childhood and women,” said Letta.
He added that the Italian government is strongly committed to the success of the event.
Barilla has been developing what it calls the “Milan Protocol” which will commit signatory countries at Expo to work to reduce food waste by 50% by 2020, as well as promote sustainable agriculture and healthy lifestyles.
The plan is to reduce food waste that now equals more than one billion tonnes annually worldwide.
Barilla’s initiative dovetails with the Expo’s theme of dealing with global malnutrition and hunger, “Feeding the planet – Energy for life”.