Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Antonio Tajani is in New York from 21 to 24 September to attend the High-Level Week of the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), together with the Italian President of the Council of Ministers. This year’s theme for the general debate – “Leaving no one behind: acting together for the advancement of peace, sustainable development and human dignity for present and future generations” – will provide an opportunity for world leaders to explore shared responses to today’s interconnected global challenges, so as to promote peace, security and sustainable development. In this regard, the mission will enable Minister Tajani to reaffirm Italy’s commitment towards a smooth management of migration, in the framework of the Rome Process launched in 2023, and its all-round action for the development and stability of the African continent.
Particular attention will be devoted to the main international crises and to coordination with partners under the Italian G7 Presidency. Today, on Monday, 23 September, Tajani will chair, together with the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, a ministerial meeting of the “G7+ Energy” group addressing the modalities for supporting Ukraine’s energy networks. In the evening of the same day, the Minister will chair a G7 Foreign Ministers’ informal meeting, where the situation in the Middle East, Ukraine and other regional crisis scenarios will be discussed.
“The mission will be an opportunity to strengthen our commitment as G7 Presidency towards addressing the different crises that continue to threaten global stability and security. Starting with Ukraine, we will discuss with our Partners the most effective ways to provide support to the authorities in Kyiv, starting with securing the country’s energy facilities, also in view of the imminent arrival of winter. We will then address the situation in the Middle East to support the efforts for a ceasefire in Gaza and to limit the risk of a regionalisation of the conflict,” said Minister Tajani.
Also on Monday 23 September, the Deputy Prime Minister will preside over the meeting of Foreign Ministers of the Western Balkans (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia) together with the Group of “Friends of the Western Balkans” (Austria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Greece, Slovakia and Slovenia), an initiative fully in line with Italy’s commitment to strengthen cooperation with its Balkan partners and foster their European prospects.
Tajani will also participate in the traditional meeting of EU Foreign Ministers and will hold a series of bilateral meetings with Foreign Ministers from various non-European countries to discuss the strengthening of bilateral relations and regional cooperation.