Italy’s cooperation with the United Nations agencies headquartered in Vienna and the OECD, as well as the dialogue with Austria, were central to the meetings held in the Austrian capital by the General Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Michele Valensise. Meeting the directors of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Yury Fedotov, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Yukiya Amano, the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO), Lassina Zerbo, and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), Li Yong, Valensise discussed programmes and initiatives that see our country at the forefront of addressing major challenges for security and development, including on a multilateral basis.
Valensise called for a strengthening of the Palermo Convention against organised crime, signed at the behest of Judge Falcone, and confirmed Italy’s support for UNODC. With a significant contribution from Italy, the Office has distinguished itself in international cooperation against trafficking and migrant smuggling and criminal organisations. Non-proliferation was discussed with Amano, for whom the implementation of the agreement with Iran will be a long-term commitment: the IAEA will play a central role in the verification activities. The recent North Korean nuclear test highlighted the need for an early entry into force of the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. Italy is committed to that objective, which is a priority for the non-proliferation and disarmament agenda. On the economic diplomacy front, Valensise assessed with Li Yong the role of Italy as one of the main contributors to UNIDO. Its programmes are a useful lever for economic growth in strategic countries and an opportunity for Italian companies.
Discussions with the OECD Secretary General Zannier focused on the main aspects of the Ukrainian crisis.
The General Secretary also met Italian officials of UN agencies, including the director of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs, and expressed appreciation for the work they do in the main areas of international cooperation.
Ambassador Valensise then met the General Secretary of the Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Michael Linnart, as part of the ongoing close consultation taking place between the two countries. Finally, Valensise met the representatives of Italian companies operating in Austria.