Zappia: as 11th contributor to UNDP, Italy supports its strategic agenda for development

NEW YORK, SEPTEMBER 4 – Ambassador Mariangela Zappia, the Permanent Representative of Italy to the United Nations, addressed today the Executive Board of UNDP, the United Nations Development Programme to which Italy was the 11th contributor in 2018 with over 80 million USD.

“Under the guidance of its Administrator Achim Steiner, , UNDP has been able to bring forward its strategic agenda, with a high level of dynamism, innovation, efficiency and transparency of course successfully performing as a key enabler and implementer of the responsibility of the UN Development System. We agree with UNDP integrated approach, being fully cognizant of the humanitarian-development-peace nexus.  Fun, participation of women and youth to this process is key”, said the Italian Ambassador.

Zappia highlighted two more issues in her address: climate change and digital innovation. “Climate change is the gravest existential threat humanity is facing which therefore requires the full mobilization of the international community. UNDP has already demonstrated to be a key player in this field and while we look forward to the incoming Climate Action Summit, this line of action should remain a priority and be further intensified. As member of the Energy Transition Coalition and supporter of other Summit Coalitions, Italy is ready to do its part and would very much support an active role of UNDP at the Climate Action Summit and beyond”, she assured.

Italy also fully agrees on the need to exploit the extraordinary potential of the digital revolution in the pursuit of sustainable development. “We have been following with great interest the work of the Task Force on the Digital Financing of the Sustainable Development Goals, co-Chaired by the UNDP Administrator, and would be very supportive of fin tech-driven solutions that may advance sustainability. We also welcome the attention that UNDP intends to devote to the issue of digital access during the incoming ministerial week and we see a clear connection between the focus on digitalization and the need for a greater involvement of the younger generations – young entrepreneurs, young professionals or simply young citizens – in our quest for a more sustainable society”. (@OnuItalia)