Italy is stepping up its commitment to bolster food sovereignty across Africa, as declared by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at the Second United Nations Food Systems Summit currently underway in Addis Ababa. Speaking to a gathering of global leaders and stakeholders, Prime Minister Meloni outlined Italy's strategy to empower African nations in securing their food future.
Prime Minister Meloni emphasized that the Italian government is actively fostering stronger partnerships between public and private sectors in African countries, with a clear focus on attracting crucial investments. She highlighted Italy's readiness to share its expertise and experience to aid African nations in their pursuit of food independence.
"Italy is dedicated to supporting African countries in their efforts to ensure food sovereignty," Prime Minister Meloni stated, underscoring the collaborative spirit driving these initiatives. She provided concrete examples of this partnership in action, citing a successful project in Algeria where the cultivation of 36,000 hectares of land is projected to yield 44,000 tons of produce.
This model of cooperation, she noted, is not isolated. Similar efforts are currently being implemented in Senegal, Ghana, and Congo, with Côte d'Ivoire and Kenya soon to join these vital programs. Furthermore, Italy is working to share its valuable experience in Tunisia, expanding the reach of these impactful initiatives.
Looking ahead, Prime Minister Meloni revealed plans to replicate this successful approach in other critical projects. She specifically mentioned a program designed to boost coffee production chains across various African countries. This ambitious endeavor will strategically combine European financial resources with private capital, aiming to cultivate a more robust and self-sufficient agricultural landscape on the continent.
Prime Minister Meloni's address signals a significant commitment from Italy to be a key partner in Africa's journey towards sustainable food systems and enhanced food security, echoing the summit's overarching theme of accelerating efforts to meet global development goals.
