• Advanced technologies, public-private collaborations, and investments in energy infrastructure as levers for the development of sustainable and smart cities: the main themes of the conference "Smart City. Roadmap for the Government," held today in Rome at the Ara Pacis Auditorium;

• Participants included the Minister of Environment, Gilberto Pichetto Fratin, Fadel Al-Faraj, Executive Vice President Marketing, Kuwait Petroleum International, as well as representatives from institutions, leading companies, and sector experts;  

• Today's event builds on Q8 Italia's journey to promote smart cities, in continuity with the advanced training course offered at the European School of Economics.

Rome, June 25, 2024 – Developing advanced technologies and promoting strong public-private partnerships for the creation of sustainable and smart cities were the central themes of the conference “Smart City. Roadmap for the Government,” organized by Q8 Italia, the Italian division of Kuwait Petroleum International, held today in Rome at the Ara Pacis Auditorium.

The event, opened by Fadel Al-Faraj, Executive Vice President Marketing of Kuwait Petroleum International, saw the participation of the Minister for Environment and Energy Security, Gilberto Pichetto Fratin, along with other prominent representatives from institutions, leading companies, and renowned academics.

Throughout the day, several notable speakers also participated, including Giorgio Silli, Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation; Sabrina Alfonsi, Councillor for Agriculture, Environment, and Waste Management of the City of Rome; architects Massimiliano and Doriana Fuksas; Giulio Sapelli from Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei; Luca Gastaldi, Scientific Director of the Smart City Observatory at Politecnico di Milano; Alberto Gambino, Vice-Rector at the European University of Rome; Alessandra Paola Ghisleri, Pollster and Director of Euromedia Research, Guido Scorza, Member of the Data Protection Authority, Giuseppe Cassano, Professor and Director of the Department of Sciences Giuridiche European School of Economics.

Today's open discussion among numerous experts marks an important milestone in Q8 Italia's journey towards promoting smart cities, in line with the advanced training course 'Smart City: Innovation, Social Impact, Environmental Sustainability, Legal Profiles' recently completed at the European School of Economics. Italy is demonstrating a growing commitment in this area, with over a fifth of municipalities having launched projects in this direction over the past year, showing their willingness to actively participate in the digital revolution of Italian cities.

During the conference, the enabling technologies for smart cities were presented, such as the Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cloud Computing, Blockchain, and Digital Twin. All of these are innovative tools essential for the integrated and intelligent management of urban resources, capable of improving the quality of life for citizens while promoting environmental sustainability.

At the heart of the debate was a reflection on one of the crucial elements for the success of smart cities: collaboration between the public and private sectors, an essential combination capable of aligning the needs of all stakeholders and ensuring an integrated strategic vision. Projects such as Rome's Dataplatform, Mantua's smart parking, and other examples like Shenzhen Airport, the La Nuvola Congress Center in Rome, and the urban project for The Line in NEOM by Studio Fuksas, presented during the event, demonstrate the effectiveness of these partnerships in creating sustainable and innovative solutions to address urban challenges.

'We are in a phase of evolution where the energy transition, linked to the digital transition, is reshaping cities, turning them into laboratories for new sustainability practices. Nine Italian cities have been selected by the European Commission for the "100 Climate-Neutral Cities by 2030" Mission, a project aimed at accelerating the transition of urban areas towards climate neutrality. In shaping the trajectory for the transition to new mobility, we must also rely on companies like Q8. The new service stations — which will increasingly offer mobility services — can contribute. This is possible thanks to the Government’s commitment, which is ready to present a plan to reorganize the fuel distribution network. In this context, strategic attention to cities is essential,' stated Gilberto Pichetto Fratin, Minister of Environment and Energy Security.

'The development of Smart Cities, which integrates digital networks and services for the benefit of businesses and citizens, is a priority for the future of our communities. Q8 Italia is firmly committed to supporting the growth of smart and sustainable cities, promoting policies and innovative solutions that can improve citizens' quality of life. Collaboration between the public and private sectors is therefore essential to achieving these goals. We will continue to work in this direction, fostering sustainable and inclusive progress,' said Fadel Al-Faraj, Executive Vice President Marketing, Kuwait Petroleum International.

A particular focus was also placed on social sustainability and the need to ensure equity in access to the opportunities offered by smart technologies. Active citizen participation in decision-making processes was identified as a key factor for the success of smart cities, as it ensures that the needs and aspirations of the community are fully integrated and respected. It is an ambitious path that, as emphasized during the meeting, must be accompanied by a proper transition to renewable energy sources to guarantee a reliable energy supply, and supported by efficient logistics.

'Thanks to Q8 for creating an important opportunity to discuss the strategic issue of smart cities, with the aim of fostering dialogue between institutions, companies, and representatives from the academic world. Rome is committed to the digital and ecological transition through a plan that covers all areas of city governance: from environment, waste management, mobility, social issues, culture, tourism, security, and energy resources. To achieve this profound transformation, Rome has established, through a resolution of the Capitoline Assembly, the Consulta Roma Smart City Lab, an operational and governance tool for the digital transition,' said Sabrina Alfonsi, Councillor for Agriculture, Environment, and Waste Cycle of Rome Capital.

About Q8

Q8 is one of the leading players in the Italian energy sector, ensuring the mobility of people and goods. The company operates throughout the entire downstream integrated cycle, from refining to the final consumer, thanks to an extensive network of service stations spread across the national territory and a logistics system that supports the entire distribution network. Additionally, through other Group companies, Q8 is active in the direct sales market (Off-network), lubricants, and fuels for marine and aviation industries. At the core of Q8's strategy is business sustainability, which it pursues by synergistically combining environmental protection, social development, and economic growth.

Contacts
Q8 Press Office - ufficiostampa@q8.it - www.q8.it

External Press Office – Comin & Partners

Carlotta Calarese

+39 3516841413

Carlotta.calarese@cominandpartners.com