8 to 10 June the Italian Pavilion of Milan EXPO 2015 will host a United Nations conference dedicated to least developed African countries, organized by Italy with a financial contribution from the Italian Cooperation and the office of the UN High Representative.
The debate, with will open on 8 June at 10:00 with a speech by Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Paolo Gentiloni, intends to identify policies and structural reform capable of helping African countries achieve their development goals and shed the “least developed” label.
The initiative confirms the priority that Italian foreign policy places on the African continent and its centrality to interventions by the Italian Development Cooperation in sync with the United Nations.
Speakers will include UN Under-Secretaries General Acharya and Hongbo, IFAD President Nwanze, President of Federalimentare Scordamaglia and representatives of ENI and ENEL, who will discuss the excellences and best practices developed by Italy in the agro-alimentary and sustainable energy sectors.
Members of the press interested in covering the event are kindly asked to apply for accreditation at https://accreditation.expo2015.org/mediahome.aspx?lang=IT at least 2-3 working days before their arrival, and to confirm their attendance via e-mail to the Press and Institutional Communication Service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation at accreditamentostampa@esteri.it.
The event programme can be accessed at http://unohrlls.org/custom-content/uploads/2015/06/Draft-Programme-Ministerial-Meeting-of-African-LDCs-in-Milan-4-June-2015.pdf