At the residence of our diplomatic representation in Libreville, Ambassador Gabriele Di Muzio did the honors at the ceremony for the Republic Day.
Participation in the ceremony was great with the presence, among others, of various representatives of the Gabonese authorities (guest of honor the President of the Constitutional Court, Marie Madeleine Mborantsuo), members of the diplomatic corps, institutional and international interlocutors, representatives of the community Italy and civil society. The presence of Italian gastronomic specialties was not lacking, starting from wines and other typical products (including Parmesan, ham, pasta prepared on the spot), with the presence of numerous Italian economic operators. Rome's candidacy for EXPO 2030 has been exalted with the photographic exhibition of large-format panels. The event was enlivened by the music of the trio of Eloisa Manera (electric violin), Roberto Cecchetto (electric guitar) and Federica Michisanti (electric bass), who arrived from Italy for the occasion.
Relations between Italy and Gabon are increasingly intense also thanks to the work of our diplomats who pay considerable attention to all political and economic analysis activities. The most significant Italian presence is that of ENI which has concluded six exploration contracts since 2008 leading, in the summer of 2014, to an important discovery of gas and condensates about 13 kilometers away from the Gabonese coast. Other companies owned by Italy, or in any case attributable to the sphere of national interests, are present in the wood sectors (Cora Wood), in the catering sector (Dolce Vita and Rome), in construction, furniture (SPM), materials and accessories for the home ( Tecnobat), tourism (Akouango Village).
Great attention is placed by the African state in preserving its forests. The forest of the Congo Basin is the largest tropical forest in the world after the Amazon and one of the main green lungs of the planet, essential for the climate and biodiversity. Gabon is one of the few countries that absorbs more CO2 than it emits and has implemented strong policies to defend the forests that cover 88% of its territory.
Dr. Di Muzio, in his speech, took the occasion of the Republic Day to take stock of the cooperation between the two countries and to greet the Gabonese people and the Italians in Gabon.
A diplomat with considerable experience, in 1996 he was second secretary at the Permanent Representation of Italy in International Organizations in Vienna, in 2000 he was assigned to Uganda and in 2003 he was appointed Head of the Africa Office at the Directorate General for Development Cooperation of the MAECI, with on sub-Saharan Africa. In 2007 he became Counselor in Maputo and in 2012 Consul General in Johannesburg. Now he is preparing for a new prestigious assignment, probably still on the African continent.
