The Ambassador of Italy to Canada, Alessandro Cattaneo, has been in Québec City since July 23 for an official visit to take part in the initiatives organized on the occasion of the first stop in Canada of the Italian Navy’s Training Ship Amerigo Vespucci, as part of the “World Tour – North America Campaign 2026”.
The “Amerigo Vespucci World Tour – North America Campaign 2026” is an initiative promoted by the Ministry of Defence and the Italian Navy, produced by Difesa Servizi S.p.A. The project is developed in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the Ministry of Culture, the Minister for Sport and Youth, and the Minister for Disabilities.
During the mission, Ambassador Cattaneo, accompanied by the Commander of the Training Ship, Capt. Nicasio Falica, the Naval Attaché in Washington, Capt. Pasquale Perrotta, the Trade Consul in Montréal, Fortunato Mangiola, and the Scientific Attaché of the Embassy of Italy in Ottawa, Prof. Costanza Conti, visited the National Assembly of Québec and was received by Hon. Mathieu Lemay, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of International Relations and La Francophonie. During their meeting, they discussed the growing economic, scientific, and cultural relations between Italy and Québec.
The Ambassador and the delegation also attended the opening ceremony of the international naval gathering Rendez-Vous Naval de Québec, which features the participation of the Amerigo Vespucci.
Ambassador Cattaneo subsequently inaugurated the scientific seminar “Cap sur l’avenir. Océans, vie et navigation durable”, organized by the Italian Embassy in collaboration with Réseau Québec Maritime, Québec’s leading maritime research organization. The initiative, focused on the challenges of sustainability, innovation, and new technologies applied to navigation, brought together Italian and Canadian researchers. The seminar was followed by an official reception aboard the Vespucci, attended by numerous Canadian institutional representatives as well as members of the local academic, social, and cultural communities.
In his remarks, Ambassador Cattaneo highlighted the role of the Amerigo Vespucci as an icon of elegance and beauty and a symbol of Italian excellence around the world, underlining that the training ship’s presence in Canada represents a valuable opportunity to celebrate the strategic partnership and the deep bonds of friendship between Italy and Canada. The Ambassador also expressed his gratitude to the Commander and crew of the training ship, as well as to all the men and women of the Italian Navy who, with dedication, a strong sense of duty and a spirit of service, proudly carry the Italian flag across the world’s seas.
The Ambassador’s mission in Québec City will continue on July 25 with economic and trade initiatives attended by the President of the Italian Trade Agency (ICE), Dr. Matteo Zoppas, the CEO of Difesa Servizi, Luca Andreoli, and the President of Veronafiere, Dr. Federico Bricolo. The programme will also include an event aboard the Amerigo Vespucci, organized in collaboration with ITA and Vinitaly, to promote Italian agri-food and wine excellence in the Canadian market.
