“Today we have approved a package of development cooperation projects, programmes and tenders for almost 250 million euros. This figure gives an idea of the Government’s significant commitment to the development cooperation sector, a major strategic investment and a pillar of our foreign policy”, commented the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Angelino Alfano, at the end of today’s meeting of the Joint Committee for Development Cooperation.
In particular, Minister Alfano highlighted “the Government’s primary commitment to international vaccination projects”, for which the Committee today earmarked 12 million euros for the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization and 2.5 shared between the WHO and Unicef for polio eradication programmes in Afghanistan.
“I am particularly pleased – added Mr Alfano – that the first three projects, in Ethiopia, Sudan and Niger, which will receive funding of 6.5 million euros through the Africa Fund, have been approved. These are even more important initiatives because, as they impact on the development of the most vulnerable, including women and children, they tackle the root causes of migration.”
Significant support will also continue for International Organisations, including those based in Italy. “In particular I would like to highlight the funding for the FAO and the IILA” said the Minister: “Earlier today – he added – I met the Director General of the FAO Graziano Da Silva and the Secretary General of the IILA, Donato Di Santo, to sign a memorandum of understanding promoting food security in Latin America”.
