Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Antonio Tajani today chaired the Joint Development Cooperation Committee, which approved the 2024 annual programming of Italian cooperation.
“We have planned interventions for EUR 2.3 billion, more than 1.3 of which are earmarked for Africa,” said Deputy Prime Minister Tajani, adding that “this confirms that development cooperation is a strategic component of Italy’s foreign policy towards Africa, and is therefore also central to the agenda of the Italian G7 Presidency, to the Mattei Plan, and to the Government’s commitment to peace, stability, and growth.”
The programming includes initiatives aimed at developing the economy and creating employment, responding to humanitarian crises (in particular in Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan, Afghanistan, and Syria), combating diseases, and countering irregular migration; it also extends the presence of Italian development cooperation to two new priority countries in Central Asia, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.
The 2024 programming follows an innovative methodological approach and promotes the involvement of all the actors of the Italian cooperation system, from public and local authorities to universities, civil society organisations and enterprises.
“The strong project of the Italian development cooperation is a sign of the Italian Government’s commitment to promote a strong teamwork, for the sustainable economic development of our partners, the creation of concrete alternatives to migration, and the promotion of further opportunities for the internationalisation of our companies and territories,” stressed Deputy Prime Minister Tajani.
Finally, the programming adopted favours the creation of synergies with the measures of the European Union and its Member States and with those of the United Nations and other international organisations, particularly for the implementation of major projects.
The Joint Committee, which was also attended by Italian Deputy Minister Edmondo Cirielli, then approved the financing of projects worth over EUR 300 million, of which EUR 190 million for programmes to be implemented in Africa, EUR 60 million to finance operations in the rest of the world, and about EUR 45 million in contributions to international organisations. In addition, the Joint Committee resolved to open two new offices of the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation in Kampala, Uganda, and Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
