On 29 September 1999, with the Legislative Decree n. 381 of the President of the Republic Carlo Azeglio Ciampi, the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology was born, constituted by the merger of five institutions with the aim of bringing together in a single pole the main national scientific realities in the fields of geophysics and volcanology. Today INGV is one of the most important institutions in the world in these fields. Furthermore, INGV is entrusted with the surveillance of the seismicity of our country and of the activity of the Italian volcanoes, through technologically advanced instrumentation networks distributed throughout the territory and around the active volcanoes.
On the occasion of the institute's twentieth anniversary, three days full of events were organized at the headquarters. The celebrations began with the Open Day on 29 September, where more than a thousand people followed with great interest the educational activities dedicated to research on the environment, volcanoes and earthquakes. This was followed by two days of institutional appointments in the presence of the Authorities.
For the Minister for Relations with the Parliament Federico D'Incà, these first twenty years of INGV are "Un historic milestone for the scientific community of our country, but also for the institutions and for those who work every day on the prevention and management of geological and environmental emergencies that affect our extremely fragile territory. INGV”, continues the Minister, “is an institute of excellence on the international scene that allows our country to be at the forefront of geophysical research and the study of phenomena related to environmental issues. An Institute which, in addition to being a beacon for scientific research and the prevention of events, represents an effective dissemination pole for citizens, who can be increasingly informed and able to learn news relating to very important results and natural phenomena. It had never happened before, that of INGV is an example that made school ".
The President of the Higher Institute for Environmental Protection and Research, Stefano Laporta, recalled how the two organizations can be considered "research cousins" since they have been collaborating for years on various fronts of scientific research. Their activity is synergistic and leads to the best international results. In recent times, the collaboration has also been further expanded with the regional ARPAs and through the directive of the national warning system for earthquake-induced tsunamis (SiAM).
The Head of Department of Casa Italia, Roberto Giovanni Marino, highlighted INGV's ability to transfer the results of scientific research to citizens and institutions, adding that "The pride present in those who work at INGV is striking, aware that they are working at the service of the nation, both in research and monitoring activities, and in dissemination and communication activities".
Even the speech of the President of the National Institute of Statistics, Gian Carlo Blangiardo, highlighted the centrality of citizens, and underlined "The importance of people in the area, as they are exposed to changes. It is necessary”, added the President of ISTAT, "have a picture of the population in terms of characteristics and location and, above all, have available data that can be integrated even if they come from different sources".
Scientific research and researchers were also discussed: in her speech, Senator Maria Domenica Castellone highlighted the importance of greater investments in scientific research, an issue particularly dear to her as a researcher "on loan" to politics. Your commitment is to make the most of the meritocracy of Italian researchers to ensure that the Italian system is attractive.
Senator Ruggiero Quarto concluded the first institutional day: “INGV is a scientific excellence, an international point of reference. As a geophysicist and Senator of the Republic, a member of the Commission for the Territory, Environment and Environmental Assets, I am particularly concerned with the problems of the territory. Best wishes for these twenty years that have seen an intelligent and productive merger of the five Institutes that made up INGV”.
The Institute works in close contact with the Ministry of Education, University and Research and has links with the Department of Civil Protection and with the other authorities responsible for managing emergencies on a national and local scale. It also cooperates with the Ministries of the Environment, Defense and Foreign Affairs in the framework of national and international strategic projects. 
The second day of institutional celebrations of the twentieth anniversary took place in the presence of the Minister of MIUR, Lorenzo Fioramonti, who gave a speech of great enthusiasm: “Fellow researchers, be proud of what you do, it is only thanks to curiosity, which is the basis of scientific progress, that we make Italy great. The future is in the economy of knowledge and human capital. It is no longer acceptable to see trained young people go abroad; it is right to live and travel, but this must not be a forced choice imposed from above. Research and science know no boundaries, we must speak with one voice and shout that research institutions are the future of this country. Science doesn't exist only in laboratories, it enters everyone's life and has the task and mission to improve it. I have the precariat at heart, I know what it means to be a research precarious. Research is good for the development of society, we have to tell it, it is the only way to improve the quality of life in our country".
INGV is the Competence Center of the Civil Protection Department, on behalf of which it maintains 24-hour surveillance activities and carries out research projects with dedicated objectives within the ambit of specific agreements. The Head of Department, Angelo Borrelli, present at the twentieth anniversary, highlighted the importance of the synergy between INGV and DPC: “Thank you for helping to grow the National Civil Protection System, with INGV we carry on a job that allows us to be at the service of citizens. We are working on an automatic population alert platform for all emergencies involving the Department".
The intervention of the Commander of the Forestry, Environmental and Agri-Food Unit of the Carabinieri Ciro D'Angelo followed: "Relations with INGV, increasingly close in recent years, are based on the characteristics of the Carabinieri which, since the XNUMXs, has seen its stations located throughout Italy become an integral part of the nascent National System of Civil protection. The Arma's commitment is to continue to support entities such as INGV in assisting and supporting populations residing in areas affected by natural disasters".
Massimo Inguscio, President of the National Research Council, concluded: “The strategies that lead to rationalization, in the case of INGV by uniting various entities, work: this birthday that I have the pleasure of celebrating today with you is proof of this. I hope that Minister Fioramonti will be able to make the current political class aware of the importance of "recruiting" young people, also in research. What moves everything are ideas: I therefore believe that the future is full of beautiful surprises".