Press Release  Governor Healey, Climate Chief Hoffer to Tout Massachusetts’ Climate and Economic Leadership in Vatican City State, Rome

Boston — From May 14 - 17, 2024, Governor Maura T. Healey and Climate Chief Melissa Hoffer will visit the Vatican City State and Rome to tout Massachusetts’ climate and economic leadership, as well as strengthen diplomatic and economic ties between Massachusetts and Italy. 

“I’m excited for this opportunity to showcase Massachusetts’ climate and economic leadership on the global stage, and to make the case for why businesses should consider starting and growing in our state,” said Governor Healey. “Massachusetts deeply values our close relationship with Italy and the Vatican City State, and we see this trip as an excellent opportunity to strengthen ties and strategize on future opportunities for collaboration.” 

“This trip presents an incredible opportunity to learn from leaders from around the world how they are advancing emissions reduction, resilience, and support for communities facing intensifying climate impacts,” said Chief Hoffer.  “It is truly the honor of a lifetime to present at the Vatican Summit and I am eager to share our accomplishments and vision for Massachusetts and collaborate with other global leaders as we navigate the many challenges and opportunities presented in this unprecedented moment in human history.” 

Governor Healey was invited to provide a keynote address at the opening session of the Vatican Climate Summit: From Climate Crisis to Climate Resilience. This is a Global Summit organized by the Pontifical Academy of Sciences and the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences under the leadership of UMass Boston Chancellor Suárez-Orozco and Ram Ramanathan, Distinguished Research Professor at UC San Diego and climate solutions scholar at Cornell University. Pope Francis will preside over the Summit. 

Governor Healey’s address, “Governing in the Age of Climate Change,” will take place on Wednesday morning. She will highlight Massachusetts’ global climate leadership, particularly in the emerging industry of climatetech, and announce a new initiative to grow the climate workforce. 

Governor Healey will also participate in two panels during the conference. On Wednesday evening, she will Co-Chair the Energy Session with Professor Cheikh Mbow of Senegal. Governor Healey will deliver opening remarks and introduce each panel, which includes: Access/Clean/Affordable Energy by Dan Esty of Yale University; Renewable Energy Transition by Arunaba Ghosho of the Council on Energy, Environment and Water; Resilient Grid by Vida Rozite of the International Energy Agency; and Clean Cooking by Ali Mohamed, Kenya’s Climate and Clean Cooking Envoy. 

On Thursday, Governor Healey, Chancellor Suárez-Orozco and Ram Ramanathan will participate in Highlights and the Way Forward, during which they will reflect on the sub-regional summits that took place during the course of the summit. The session will end with proposals from all mayors and governors on next steps. 

While in Italy, Governor Healey will be focused on strengthening diplomatic and economic relations between Italy and Massachusetts. On Tuesday, she will host a roundtable with the American Chamber of Commerce in Italy with Italian business leaders considering establishing, growing, or expanding their footprint in Massachusetts. Governor Healey will highlight all that makes Massachusetts a great place to do business, learn more about what the businesses are interested in and the challenges they face, and discuss opportunities for further collaboration. 

Italy is currently Massachusetts’ 10^th largest trading partner globally. In 2023, total trade between Massachusetts and Italy was $2.05 billion. Italian companies, such as Enel North America and Piaggio Fast Forward, have operations in Massachusetts. 

Climate Chief Melissa Hoffer will also speak at the Vatican Summit, providing a report “from the front lines.” She will be visiting the Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA) alongside UMB Professor Paul Kirshen on Tuesday. Later on Tuesday afternoon, she will meet with Edoardo Zanchini, the Director of the City of Rome’s Climate Office, and Environment, Science, Technology, and Health (ESTH) personnel from the U.S. Italian Embassy.  

Tuesday, May 14, 2024 

             Who: Governor Healey and business leaders 

             What: American Chamber of Commerce in Italy Business Roundtable 

             When: Tuesday, May 14, 2024 at 14:00 CET (8 am ET) 

             Press: Closed 

             Who: Governor Healey, Chief Hoffer, Ambassador to the Holy See Joe Donnelly 

             What: Meeting with the Ambassador to the Holy See 

             When: Tuesday, May 14, 2024 at 16:30 pm CET (10:30 am ET) 

             Press: Closed 

Wednesday, May 15, 2024 

             Who: Governor Healey 

             What: Vatican Climate Summitt Keynote Address: Governing in the Age of Climate Change 

             When: Wednesday, May 15, 2024, at 10:15 am CET (4:15 am ET) 

             Press: Open, please contact the Dicastery for Communications for information: accreditamenti@salastampa.va.  

             Who: Governor Healey and Prof. Cheikh Mbow of Senegal 

             What: Vatican Climate Summit: Energy Session 

             When: Wednesday, May 15, 2024, at 18:20 CET (12:20 pm ET) 

             Press: Open, please contact the Dicastery for Communications for information: accreditamenti@salastampa.va  

             Who: Climate Chief Melissa Hoffer 

             What: Vatican Climate Summit: Report from the Front Lines 

             When: Wednesday, May 15, 2024, at 19:40 CET (1:40 pm ET) 

             Press: Open, please contact the Dicastery for Communications for information: accreditamenti@salastampa.va

Thursday, May 16, 2024 

             Who: Governor Healey, Mayor Wu, Pope Francis 

             What: Audience with the Holy Father 

             When: Thursday, May 16, 2024 at 10:40 am CET (4:40 am ET) 

             Press: Closed 

             Who: Governor Healey, Chancellor Marcelo Suarez-Orozco, Ram Ramanathan 

             What: Vatican Climate Summit: Highlights and the Way Forward 

             When: Thursday, May 16, 2024 at 16:40 CET (10:40 am ET) 

             Press: Open, please contact the Dicastery for Communications for information: accreditamenti@salastampa.va  

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