The G7 Ministerial Meeting on Labour and Employment, held in Cagliari from 11 to 13 September and chaired by Minister of Labour and Social Policies Marina Calderone, ended with the adoption of the Final Declaration entitled “Towards an inclusive human-centered approach for new challenges in the world of work.“

Cagliari

History and nature, art and vision for the future. Cagliari, the regional capital city of Sardinia, presented itself with this stance at the G7 ministerial meeting dedicated to labour and employment.

The city narrates millennia of history through its distinctive historic neighborhoods and vibrant enduring traditions. Like Rome, Lisbon, Prague, and Istanbul, it is characterised by its development on seven limestone hills from which it dominates the sea and benefits from its strategic position. The port, situated just 11 miles from the Gibraltar-Suez route, serves as one of the main hubs for transshipment activity in the western Mediterranean.

Home to an esteemed university since 1626 and one of the oldest schools in Italy - the “Giovanni Siotto Pintor” high school - Cagliari has always been a city dedicated to education and to its connection with the labour market. This commitment has also attracted several multinational companies that have chosen Cagliari as their headquarters.

The economy is dominated by traditional sectors such as electricity and its related industries, where most of the workforce is concentrated. However, in recent years, the fields of innovative startups and new technologies have also been growing: the city ranks 15th in Italy among the most advanced provinces in this regard. This forward-looking economic context framed the discussions among participants at the G7 meeting, which also addressed the impact of emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence on the future of work. Alongside the industrial and technology sectors, the tourism industry is also gaining significant ground: Cagliari, in particular, leads the ranking of the most active Sardinian provinces in this field, with about 2,600 businesses and nearly 6,000 employees.

Thanks to targeted training in new skills, research and development of cutting-edge technologies, support for new companies, and technology transfer, Cagliari aims to become a centre of excellence with the goal of sustainably enhancing the competitiveness of its ecosystem and positively impacting employment across the entire Sardinian territory.