An Italy represented at the highest institutional levels took the occasion of World Food Day, celebrated at the Milan EXPO, to reconfirm its pledge to contribute to achieving the goal of a “generation without hunger” on a “planet at peace” because it is “nourished”.
Concepts repeatedly underscored by both Head of State Sergio Mattarella and Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni.
A “generation without hunger” is possible”, said Gentiloni, “and progress in reaching this goal has been made, but we are still a long way from hitting our target. There are still 800 million undernourished people, of whom 160 million are children. Speaking before UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, also present at EXPO, Gentiloni reconfirmed Italy’s pledge.
Italian Cooperation: reversing an historic trend
It was exactly yesterday evening, following approval of a budget law that increases official development assistance for 2016 by approximately 40% compared with the current funding (from 297 to 418 million euro), that Minister Gentiloni asserted, “the Italian Development Cooperation has once again begun to grow, reversing a trend that has lasted years and strengthening Italy’s international role”.
“The Italian Development Cooperation”, the minister added, “is a true strategic investment: the fight against poverty goes hand in hand with greater peace in crisis areas, international stabilisation and contributions to the building of democratic institutions that defend human rights, thereby allowing us also to strengthen our efforts to address the causes of mass migration”.
The Milan Charter
Italian Head of State Sergio Mattarella presented UN S-G Ban Ki-moon with the “Milan Charter”, which, as Mattarella stressed, is “EXPO’s legacy”, the result of “the collective effort of governments, businesses and associations, signed by more than a million persons and proof of a global citizenry”. Only through “global action”, Mattarella underscored, “can an end be put to hunger”.
Minister Gentiloni also thanked all those who had contributed to “the great success of EXPO, whose extraordinary participation has brought the issue of food back to the centre of the international debate”.
Local communities drive sustainable development
Yesterday morning Minister Gentiloni spoke at the final session in Turin of the 3rd World Forum on Local Economic Development. “The sustainable development agenda”, he said, “needs the support of governments, but it also needs to have its feet firmly planted on the ground, and that ground consists of the local communities represented here. There is still much to be done”, Gentiloni added, “but the path undertaken is the right one thanks to the UN agenda and the commitment of local communities”.
Gentiloni joins Ban Ki-moon at Expo for World Food day
1955 – 2015: Italy celebrates 60 years in the UN
Ceremony with Ban Ki-moon: 60 years of Italy at the UN – Video
The Secretary General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon, began his visit to Italy today, 15 October 2015. He is speaking today at the Chamber of Deputies to celebrate the 60th anniversary of our country’s entry to the United Nations. Also present will be the President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella; the Speakers of the Chamber and Senate, Laura Boldrini and Piero Grasso; and Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni.
At the Chamber, the Secretary General will visit the multi-media exhibition on “Italy at the UN: 1955-2015”, which draws on documents from the Farnesina’s historic archive. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon will also have a bilateral meeting with Minister Gentiloni. He will then travel to Turin to attend the World Forum of Local Economic Development, after which he will visit Milan to celebrate World Food Day at the EXPO.
