Scientific diplomacy plays growing role in Italy-Qatar relations: envoy
The embassy of Italy marked the Italian Research Day in the World in Qatar yesterday, highlighting the importance of scientific collaboration in search of a cure for the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.
The annual event, an initiative established by the Italian Ministry of Education, University and Research in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) and the Ministry of Health, which falls on Leonardo Da Vinci’s birthday (April 15), is celebrated by the Italian diplomatic consular network abroad.
“Scientific diplomacy plays a growing role in our strategic partnership with Qatar and we look forward to broadening the fields of collaborations between our universities and research centres,” said Italian ambassador Alessandro Prunas in a statement, citing the co-operation between Italy and Qatar.
The 2020 edition falls at a crucial historical moment when Italy and the world are faced with the Covid-19 pandemic.
On this occasion, the MoFA of Italy launched a communication campaign aimed at enhancing the Italian excellence in the scientific sector and to stress the crucial implications of scientific research for human development, not only in the medical field but also for innovation in commercial terms.
About the Covid-19 pandemic, Prunas said: “At this challenging time, more than ever it is key to team up in the search of a cure. I am pleased that Italian and Qatari universities and medical institutions have already started to jointly research on the genomics of patients severely affected by the virus.”
“Qatar Foundation (QF) Research, Development and Innovation research projects are in contacts with some major Italian genetists to study data and understand if there are genetic patterns in the Covid-19 pandemic,” the envoy noted.
“QF Hospital Mater Olbia in Sardinia is working with the Hamad Medical Corporation to explore if plasma from recovered patients can be of any help for new therapies. These forms of co-operation pave the way to new important opportunities of mutual benefits,” he stressed.
The campaign, which will be promoted in Qatar through the Twitter and Facebook accounts of the Embassy of Italy in Doha, starts with a video of the Counsellor of the Minister of Health for Italy’s relations with international health organisations, Professor Walter Ricciardi.
Speaking on the situation in Italy, Ricciardi said the Italian science and technology, the National Health Service and the Public Health System have reacted strongly in the Covid-19 emergency.
He said the Italian government decided to put the research and science at the heart of the decision-making process, according to the embassy.
According to Ricciardi, Italy was the first country in the world to adopt very tough measures such as the lockdown of the entire national territory thanks to the accurate analysis and evidence made by scientists.
“Now it’s time to think about the future: researchers, healthcare professionals, physicians and scientists around the world need to work together to develop treatments and find a new vaccine to defeat Covid-19,” the professor added.
“Qatar Foundation (QF) Research, Development and Innovation research projects are in contacts with some major Italian genetists to study data and understand if there are genetic patterns in the Covid-19 pandemic”