Deputy Minister Marina Sereni chaired the fifth annual meeting of the Joint Development Cooperation Committee, in which the Director General for Development Cooperation, Fabio Cassese, and the Director of the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation, Luca Maestripieri, also took part. Representatives of other public sector organisations with competence for the issues discussed also attended.
During the meeting, contributions were approved in favour of the World Bank and CIHEAM for initiatives in Tunisia to support Institutions and sustainable rural development respectively, and in favour of UNFPA for an initiative in Syria to protect the victims of gender-based violence.
A contribution was also approved in favour of the United Nations Global Compact, which works with the private sector to promote the principles of the 2030 Agenda through responsible business practices characterised by sustainable development, the protection of human rights, and respect for corporate social responsibility.
The Joint Committee also gave its opinion on three financing initiatives with Cassa Depositi e Prestiti resources in Africa and the Balkans.
Lastly, the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation presented four briefings on the outcomes of the 2020 call for contributions to initiatives promoted by Civil Society Organisations for a total amount of approximately €176 million; the outcomes of the 2021 call for contributions to initiatives to raise awareness and educate on global citizenship for an amount of almost €20 million; the initiatives recently approved by the Director of the Agency; and the adoption of a “Gender Glossary” to promote knowledge of terms related to gender equality and the empowerment of women, girls and children in cooperation initiatives.
Information on the initiatives financed through the Migration Fund by the Directorate General for Italian Citizens Abroad and Migration Policies was also presented.
