Discorso pronunciato dall’Italia al Dibattito Aperto del Consiglio di Sicurezza su “Peace and security in Africa: addressing root causes of conflict while promoting post- pandemic recovery in Africa”. —
Italy thanks the Government of the People’s Republic of China for organizing this Open Debate and aligns itself with the statement of the European Union.
The Covid-19 pandemic has affected international peace and security and has exacerbated the root causes of conflicts across the globe. This is especially true for African countries, which are the most exposed to the multiple consequences of the current global crisis. The International Community must stand in support of Africa and especially of its conflict-affected countries.
This means, first of all, tackling the current pandemic on the basis of solidarity, considering vaccination as a global public good. From the very beginning of this emergency, Italy has strongly supported the creation of an international alliance to advance a global vaccination campaign. The COVAX Facility, to which the EU and its Member States contributed with over €2.47 billion to date, has so far shipped over 53 million doses to 121 countries, including 26 African countries, which will help protect the most vulnerable populations.
At the same time, we need to make sure that the efforts to increase global preparedness and response to pandemic crises include the strengthening of health capabilities and structures in African countries, in line with the principle “leaving no one behind”. On May 21, Italy, together with the European Commission, will host the Global Health Summit, which will focus on a set of common principles to strengthen our health systems, foster our preparedness and improve our response capabilities. We hope this will serve as the basis for a more coordinated action at global, regional and national level.
To help Africa overcome the challenges posed by Covid-19 it is also crucial to place the sustainable development of African countries at the centre of the international efforts for a better recovery. Italy made of the support to the most vulnerable Countries a priority of the Italian Presidency of the G20, under the motto “People, Planet, Prosperity”. Supporting a better recovery of the African Continent is going to be one of the two major priorities in the agenda of the G20 Foreign Affairs and Development Ministerial Meeting, scheduled for 28-29 June 2021 in Matera.
Financing for Sustainable Development is another priority of Italy’s G20 Presidency. At this extraordinary juncture, we have been working to ensure adequate, timely, effective fiscal and financial measures to support the global economy and especially the most vulnerable Countries. The extension of the Debt Service Suspension Initiative (DSSI) until the end of 2021 and the request to the IMF for a new SDRs allocation of 650 billion USD and for a reallocation of unused SDRs, on a voluntary basis, to the benefit of the most vulnerable economies are tangible outcomes of this action.
In the framework of its partnership with the United Kingdom for COP26, Italy is also striving to ensure that the objectives of the climate action are timely and fully met, in the interest of the entire international community and of the many African countries that are particularly affected by the consequences of climate change. In this spirit, on 7-8 October 2021 Italy will host a Ministerial event dedicated to climate challenges and sustainable development in Africa.
Italy will also keep playing its role as a reliable security partner for African countries. From the Sahel to the Horn of Africa, Italy is actively participating in UN peacekeeping operations, European Union Missions and other international initiatives, such as the Task Force Takuba. We will also continue to support African countries through direct assistance and capacity building programs aimed at promoting human rights, rule of law and good governance.
