4 December 2008: News Conference Presenting the Logo
The logo of the next G8, to be held on La Maddalena from 8 to 10 July 2009, was presented on 4 December, against the impressive backdrop of the recently restored Baths of Diocletian Museum.
The logo depicts a group of turtles that seem to be gambolling free of care in clean waters, symbolically crossing stylised lines of latitude and longitude as a reminder that the Summit addresses the problems facing the world in terms of security and development.
This is the fifth time that Italy has taken on the G8 Presidency and, hence, responsibility for hosting and organising the Summit and a series of preparatory meetings leading up to it.
Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi opened the news conference with the assertion that the upcoming G8 would not be a traditional one, but an event setting out to make a mark on the systems of world governance, introducing significant innovations in the approach adopted and in the inclusion of the various international issues, with a view to identifying joint strategies.
The chief executive appointed to head up the G8, Guido Bertolaso, emphasised that the summit would have a zero environmental impact, as renewable energy sources, electric vehicles, recycled paper and other environment-compatible resources would be used.
The Head of the Civil Protection Department went on to describe the building conversion work under way throughout the island, commencing with the Arsenal, which was about to turn into a modern conference centre where the meetings of the heads of state would be held. Moreover, a major environmental reclamation operation, had been conducted on La Maddalena before building work had begun.
Bertolaso highlighted the fact that the G8 could contribute to the growth of tourism on the archipelago and in Sardinia via the enlargement of Olbia airport and the building of the Olbia-Sassari motorway.
Minister Frattini then illustrated the lines on which the G8 would be conducted: it would not come to an end with the Summit in July, but would spread out over the whole year at various Italian sites, in a schedule of meetings focusing specifically on economic, environmental and security issues.
Italy attaches particular importance to involving the new emerging economies in the proceedings and to liaising closely with the G20, which will be chaired by the United Kingdom in 2009.
The government takes the view that nothing but open dialogue extended to the maximum number of countries can serve as a basis for a response to the extremely serious economic crisis. This is why, in addition to the meetings attended by the eight major countries alone, gatherings to be attended by other heads of state and government as well will also be held.
