The Deputy Minister Emanuela Del Re held a telephone conversation with the UK Secretary of State for International Development Anne-Marie Belinda Trevelyan, to exchange views on Italy’s and the United Kingdom’s contribution to the global response effort to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ms. Del Re and Ms. Trevelyan exchanged information on the two countries’ respective re-orientation processes concerning the cooperation programmes, which are still in the planning and refinement stage of the projects under way, in light of the new situation. Ms. Del Re highlighted how Italian programming will follow a versatile approach fully mindful of the principle of ownership of the beneficiary Country.
Therefore, both confirmed a strong reliance on the multilateral approach as the only way out of the unfolding crisis and their respective Countries’ support to the UN system. They then expressed their satisfaction for the successful outcome of the Coronavirus Global Response pledging event held on 4 May, under the guidance of the EU and co-chaired also by Italy and the UK. The Deputy Minister also underlined how, at the conference, Prime Minister Conte had maintained Italy’s commitment to promoting an effective multilateralism also in view of our Country’s forthcoming G20 Presidency.
Finally, Ms. Del Re illustrated the objectives and strategies of the “Food Coalition”, a project spearheaded by Italy through the FAO, to tackle the effects of the pandemic on agriculture and nutrition, hoping that the UK may consider joining the initiative. Ms. Trevelyan expressed an interest in the issue, which she defined as strategic and requested further information.
