The Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, Edmondo Cirielli, participated today in Florence in the celebrations marking the 40th anniversary of the establishment of UNICEF Innocenti, which coincides with the 80th anniversary of UNICEF itself, in the presence of UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell.
Deputy Minister Cirielli highlighted the important role that UNICEF’s Research Office has played since 1986 in shaping more effective interventions for children worldwide, establishing the Institute as the Organisation’s leading centre for strategic direction, planning and monitoring at a global level.
“At an extremely complex time in world history, Italy is proud to continue supporting UNICEF and to share its values, as a partner, donor and host country,” the Deputy Minister said, also recalling the contribution of the Honourable Valdo Spini – who was present at the celebrations – to the finalisation of the original Headquarters Agreement.
The visit paid by UNICEF Executive Director Russell to Italy coincides with a phase of significant strengthening of UNICEF’s presence in Italy, which is part of an overall expansion of the United Nations hub in Rome. In addition to the expansion of the Florence office’s remit, a new ‘Global Office’ has in fact been established in Rome, to which several of the Organisation’s strategic Divisions have been transferred from New York and Geneva, including the Department for private-sector partnerships, communications, and crisis and emergency response management.
