MILAN, October 24, 2019 – Infrastructure as a strategic factor in global sustainable development was the topic of a round table discussion entitled “A Call for Private Investment to Achieve the SDGs” organised yesterday in Paris by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) about foreign direct investment and public policy to foster higher levels of sustainable economic growth and employment. Joseph Attias, Group Engineering, Development and Concessions Director at Salini Impregilo, highlighted infrastructure as an essential prerequisite for social economic development. Attias described how Salini Impregilo, with its projects in the infrastructure sector, contributed to the achievement of the sustainable development goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations.

“The Group has adopted a Strategy for Sustainability that establishes two lines of action for the promotion of 10 SDGs in particular: supporting clients in the development of infrastructure projects in strategic areas such as water, renewable energy and sustainable mobility; and contributing to the development of the areas where we are present by investing in our people and in the protection of the environment. We recently launched a new policy on Inclusion and Diversity, which follows initiatives in areas such as Health and Safety to help develop the company’s human capital. These are shaping a corporate culture that is becoming more distinct and imbued with the principles of sustainability in all its facets,” he said.

As regards the global megatrends that influence the decision-making process, the international community has adopted initiatives to support actions such as the Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development of the United Nations and the Paris Agreement on fighting climate change. Salini Impregilo is contributing to these initiatives by building infrastructure that supports the achievement of the goals. For example, it is on the front line in efforts to achieve SDG 6 on clean water by guaranteeing a daily supply to more than 20 million people across the globe with plants built by Fisia Italimpianti. A member of the Group, Fisia Italimpianti is a world leader in desalination and the treatment of water. Salini Impregilo is also contributing to SDG 11 on sustainable cities with various metro projects throughout the world. From Australia to Middle East to Europe including France, these projects will enable about 3.5 million people to move about their respective cities in a sustainable way, reducing the use of private vehicles as well as the amount of harmful emissions. The commitment behind these investments is set to grow under Progetto Italia, a plan by Salini Impregilo to consolidate the infrastructure sector in Italy to compete better on international markets.