Alessandro Chiesi, presidente Associazione “Parma, io ci sto!”

Good morning and thank you for the invitation. I am an entrepreneur in a sector that is not agrifood, but I am happy to bring this experience. Parma Io Ci Sto was born five years ago from a common goal: contributing to the quality of life of the territory, which increases its attractiveness. There is a direct relationship between sustainability and economic impact. Another key point is commitment, both individual and collective. We now have 120 members, creating a movement of collective engagement, making system and teamwork. The concept of interdependence is central: between environment and economy, between private and institutional actors, as reflected in SDG 17 on partnerships. We work on territorial excellences, especially food and agrifood, which have critical mass, strong skills, and entrepreneurial passion. For the first time, competitors came together around a common identity and brand of Parma. A thematic table was created, and private actors and institutions began to develop projects. Examples include a school of advanced studies for nutrition, the farmer foot farm lab for continuous training, and a steering committee to structure and plan together. We integrated with the UNESCO foundation to promote the Parma and food valley brand. During the pandemic, this table pushed forward and gave systematicity to the system. Now the challenge of sustainability has become central. In my pharma sector, we have long timelines and strict regulations, and sustainability often conflicts with patient health. We need a coherent agenda with interdependencies and networking. We contribute to 'KM Verde' for reforestation, participate in the carbon neutrality table, and launched the '10' project for community strategic planning to build the future of Parma with a long-term perspective. Thank you.