NEW YORK, JULY 13 – The Permanent MIssion of Italy to the United Nations has launched the first “Informal Dialogue Italy-Africa at the UN” on the occasion of a working dinner held on July 12 at the Harvard Club in New York. The event, promoted by Ambassador Maurizio Massari to seal the already solid relationship of friendship and collaboration with African countries in the framework of the UN, was attended by colleagues of various African countries – Benin, Burundi, Chad, Ivory Coast, Djibouti, Egypt, Libya, Malawi, Morocco, Namibia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sierra Leone, South Africa, South Sudan, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe. The Director General for European and International Activity of the Ministry for Ecological Transition, Alessandro Modiano, who is in New York for the High Level Political Forum (HLPF), was also present.
The reception provided an opportunity for a fruitful exchange of ideas on a wide range of topics: from partnerships with African countries promoted by the EU, to investments activated bilaterally by Italy or with contributions made by the international circuits of the UN, World Bank and African Development Bank, to the joint commitment of the international community to achieve food security, counteract the effects of climate change and promote better access to education on the African continent. Addressing the forum, Ambassador Massari reiterated Italy’s will to pursue, alongside the EU, the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the 2063 Agenda of the African Union – pillars of multilateral action to build prosperity on the African continent. Massari emphasized the absolute priority given by the current HLPF and by the negotiations for the Ministerial Declaration – of which Italy is co-facilitator – to the consolidation of investments and to the support for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Ambassador Massari also recalled Rome’s candidacy to host EXPO 2030. The chosen theme – “People and Territories: urban regeneration, inclusion and innovation” – is an unequivocal expression of the country’s commitment to a sustainable and greener future, as part of the joint efforts to reach the SDGs and fulfil the 2030 Agenda.
With a look at the 77th session of the General Assembly that will take place next September, Massari finally invited his guests to share opinions and expectations for a session that is expected to host relevant events. Among these, the return of the Youth4Climate event, promoted by the MiTE (Ministry for Ecological Transition) in collaboration with UNDP, aimed at bringing new generations at the forefront of the fight against climate change. (@giorgiodelgallo)