The busy schedule of meetings at the start of his term continues for Italy’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Giorgio Marrapodi. This week, Ambassador Marrapodi held very productive meetings with his fellow permanent representatives from Angola, Ambassador Francisco José da Cruz, Côte d’Ivoire, Ambassador J.P. Tiémoko Moriko, and Eritrea, Ambassador Sophia Tesfamariam.
Africa is at the heart of Italy’s foreign and cooperation policy, which is focused on building strong, equal partnerships with African partners in the commercial, economic, and cultural spheres. The Italian government has launched the Mattei Plan with the aim of bringing about a paradigm shift in relations with the African continent and building partnerships on an equal footing, moving beyond the donor-recipient dynamic and generating mutual benefits and opportunities.
The Ambassador’s meetings provided a valuable opportunity to reaffirm Italy’s commitment to strengthening cooperation within the UN.
Angola, which is very prominent in maintaining peace and stability on the continent, is one of Italy’s main trading partners in sub-Saharan Africa and is among the focus countries of the Mattei Plan.
Côte d’Ivoire is one of the priority countries for development cooperation and one of the pilot countries under the Mattei Plan.
Eritrea, another priority country for Italian cooperation, various initiatives are being considered in the areas of health, agriculture, development, and cultural heritage.
