(ANSA) - Milan, July 31 - Cultural ministry delegations from 80 countries are scheduled to attend a conference on worldwide cultural heritage protection Friday and Saturday, hosted by the Italian culture ministry at Expo.
    Culture Minister Dario Franceschini extended a conference invitation to his counterparts from all 140 countries present at the Milan world's fair.
    "The protection of cultural diversity is the first fundamental step towards mutual respect between peoples," Franceschini said of the conference titled Culture - Instrument of Dialogue Among Peoples.
    Premier Matteo Renzi is scheduled to address the conference on Friday.
    UNESCO Director General Irina Bokova is also scheduled to attend.
    The conference agenda also tackles the protection and preservation of cultural heritage in the face of natural disasters.
    Culture ministers from Nepal, where a 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck in April, as well as from Pakistan, where a 5.1-magnitude earthquake struck last week, will be in attendance.
    Between work sessions, conference attendees are scheduled to take in a performance of The Barber of Seville at the Scala Opera House and visit Leonardo Da Vinci's The Last Supper in the company of Franceschini.