The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Luigi Di Maio, participated today in the 7th Summit of the Heads of State of the G5 Sahel countries (Mauritania, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger and Chad), held in virtual mode and attended by the main international and regional partners of the G5S.
In his address, the Foreign Minister confirmed Italy’s growing commitment to stabilising the Sahel region, as evidenced by the recent expansion of our diplomatic network in Niger and Burkina Faso and the forthcoming opening of embassies in Mali and Chad. Minister Di Maio also assured Italy’s support to the Coalition for the Sahel, launched last year, emphasising the importance of balancing actions aimed at combating terrorism with respect for the rule of law and human rights and projects aimed at fostering sustainable and inclusive development.
Chadian President Idriss Déby thanked Italy for the future opening of an Embassy in Chad and for our country’s commitment since the beginning of the Sahel Crisis.
Confirming the importance for Italy of the partnership with African countries, Minister Di Maio referred to Italy’s main international appointments in 2021, beginning with the G20 Presidency, which will feature a session dedicated to the African continent during the Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (29 June), and the Global Health Summit in Rome on 21 May, on the fight against the pandemic.
Minister Di Maio ended by pointing out that the third Italy-Africa Conference will be held in Rome, on 7-8 October, dedicated this year to climate issues in view of Italy’s co-presidency of the Cop26.
