Minister for Foreign Affairs Giulio Terzi expressed his “deep satisfaction” today for the appointment of Professor Romano Prodi as UN Special Envoy for the Sahel, extending his “best wishes for the task ahead” and assuring “full support in his new mission”.
“Secretary General Ban ki-Moon’s choice”, Minister Terzi asserted, “is the highest recognition of the international stature and deep understanding of the issues of peacekeeping in Africa Prof. Prodi gained as President of the UN and African Union Panel for Peacekeeping in Africa”.
“The task entrusted to President Prodi also confirms Italy’s past and continuing frontline role in the Sub-Saharan region and, in particular, in crisis areas”.
The appointment follows a high level meeting on the Sahel that took place during the 67th UN General Assembly meeting, in the course of which approximately 40 Member States – Prime Minister Mario Monti and Minister Terzi representing Italy – examined how to best coordinate international community efforts regarding the humanitarian, security, food and institutional crises affecting the countries of the Sahel.
