The ‘Italia-Africa. A bridge for common growth’ Summit was held at Palazzo Madama in Rome today. Following the working sessions, the President of the Council of Ministers, Giorgia Meloni, and the Chairperson of the African Union, Azali Assoumani, delivered statements to the press.
This morning, following the welcome ceremony and an institutional greeting by the President of the Senate, President Meloni delivered her opening address.
Addresses were then delivered by the Vice-President of the Council of Ministers and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Antonio Tajani, the Chairperson of the African Union, Azali Assoumani, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, Amina Jane Mohammed.
Following the working sessions, the President of the Council of Ministers, Giorgia Meloni, delivered her closing remarks.
The Summit is the first international event to be held in Italy since the beginning of its G7 Presidency, attesting to the importance Italy attributes to its partnership with African Countries. This is, in fact, the first time that the Italy-Africa Conference is being held as a Summit of Heads of State and Government, having been held only at ministerial level until now.
In attendance numerous Heads of State and Government and Ministers of African Countries, together with representatives of the African Union and European Union. The main international organisations will also be participating, starting with the UN, international financial institutions and multilateral development banks.
The Summit began yesterday with a dinner offered by the President of the Italian Republic, Sergio Mattarella, who received the Heads of Delegations at the Quirinale Palace.