The launch event for ‘Italy’s international coffee strategy: development, value and partnerships’ took place at the Farnesina, bringing together institutions, representatives of the World Bank Group, international organisations, partners and private-sector operators to explore the prospects for the coffee supply chain and opportunities for collaboration in coffee-producing countries.
“Supporting coffee-producing countries and promoting the expertise of Italian businesses means building a more sustainable, fair and resilient coffee supply chain. We combine development cooperation, economic diplomacy, research and partnerships with the private sector to create value in the countries of origin and lasting opportunities for everyone,” explained Deputy Minister Cirielli in his opening address.
The two sessions of the event provided an opportunity to highlight Italy’s commitment to supporting a more sustainable, resilient and competitive coffee supply chain and to promoting opportunities for collaboration between institutions, international organisations and the private sector, with a particular focus on the transfer of expertise and technology, the promotion of sustainable investment and the maximisation of opportunities for the ‘Sistema Italia’ in coffee-producing countries.
Italy’s strategy comprises two complementary components: the ACT Coffee initiative, dedicated to the sustainable transformation of the coffee supply chain in Africa, implemented by UNIDO in collaboration with the International Coffee Organisation (ICO) and in partnership with the Italian Coffee Committee; and the Global Coffee Initiative, developed with the World Bank Group and Cassa Depositi e Prestiti (CDP) to facilitate project development and the mobilisation of investment.
Among those present at the event were the Prime Minister of Uganda, Robinah Nabbanja; the Ministers of Agriculture of Kenya, Mutahi Kagwe, and Colombia, Indalecio Dangond, the Executive Director of the ICO, Vanusia Nogueira, the FAO’s Deputy Director-General, Maurizio Martina, the Deputy Director-General of UNIDO, Marina Ponti, the President of the Italian Coffee Committee and Chairman of the Lavazza Group, Giuseppe Lavazza, and the President of Illycaffè, Andrea Illy.
