Italy's Ambassador to International Organisations in Paris, Luca Sabbatucci, today presented IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol with the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic today on behalf of President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni of Italy - awarding him the country's highest civilian honour for his outstanding contributions to addressing global energy challenges.
In his remarks at a ceremony at the Italian Embassy in Paris, Ambassador Sabbatucci said that under Dr Birol, the IEA had been a crucial contributor to the global energy dialogue, serving as a leading advisor on a comprehensive range of energy technologies. He commended his international credibility and strategic vision, emphasising that Italy has greatly benefited from the IEA's data, analysis and policy guidance.
He also noted the IEA's "extraordinary contribution" to Italy's G7 Presidency last year, including the Energy for Growth in Africa initiative launched by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. The IEA serves as the key knowledge partner for this initiative, which aims to support the development of bankable clean energy projects on the continent.
In his response, Dr Birol warmly thanked President Mattarella and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni for the honour and for their leadership in efforts to achieve "the betterment of our world and a brighter energy future for all".
The distinguished recipients of the Order of Merit in recent years include President Frank-Walter Steinmeier of Germany, President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan, President Emmanuel Macron of France, President Abdul Latif Rashid of Iraq, President Katerina Sakellaropoulou of Greece, and President João Lourenço of Angola.
