On Friday, 8 October 2021, the “Meetings with Africa” event will be held, as the third edition of the Italy-Africa Ministerial Conference, at the Sheraton Parco de’ Medici Hotel in Rome. The event will bring together delegations from 54 African countries, representatives of the African Union and other major African regional organisations, as well as a number of members of the Italian institutions and representatives of the economic, business, academic and third sector worlds.
This year, the event is part of the Italian G20 Presidency and will focus on its three pillars, “People, Planet, Prosperity”, with a link to the partnership with the United Kingdom for COP26.
The President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella will open the day’s proceedings on Friday, 8 October at 9:30, followed by speeches in the inaugural plenary session by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Luigi Di Maio, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, the USG and Executive Secretary of the UN/UNECA Economic Commission for Africa, Vera Songwe, the COP26 President, Alok Sharma, the Chairperson of the Pan-European Commission on Health and Sustainable development, Mario Monti, and the President of the B20, Emma Marcegaglia.
Following the plenary session, four interactive thematic panels (two simultaneously in the morning and two in the afternoon) will take place, offering participants a forum for discussion and exchanging ideas on the topics of renewable energy, energy transition, environment, green finance and sustainable development. Also in the afternoon, a round table will be held on blue economy issues.
The proceedings will be closed in plenary session by Minister Di Maio.
PROGRAMME FOR THE MEDIA
The event will feature the following photo opportunities:
- 9:30: plenary session (photographer and TV operator pool in the Sala Loggia dei Signori)
- 10:30: family photo (photographer and TV operator pool in the Sala Loggia dei Signori)
- 17:00: closing session (photographer and TV operator pool in the Sala Loggia dei Signori)
Journalists will be able to follow the speeches the opening and closing plenary sessions and the work of the thematic panels in the Press Room via audio/video link.
A Press Room will be set up at the Sheraton Hotel on Friday, 8 October from 7:30 to 7:00. However, to access the Press Room please be reminded that you must present a negative molecular or rapid swab test result, taken no earlier than 48 hours prior to access. In any case, access to the Press Room is restricted and will be possible only up to the maximum capacity allowed by the anti-Covid regulations in force.
PRESS ACCREDITATION
Advance accreditation of media representatives is compulsory.
In view of current legislation on social distancing, a limited number of media representatives will be able to attend: only 1 journalist, 1 photographer and 1 cameraman per media outlet will be accredited.
Accreditation applications must be received by Noon on 6 October in one of the following ways:
- ONLINE at https://portaleaccreditamento.esteri.it, attaching the requested digital documentation (letter of the media outlet and, for foreign press representatives, a Note Verbale issued by the Embassy in Rome of the country to which they belong)
- EMAIL to accreditamentostampa@esteri.it (tel. 06/3691.3432 – 06/3691.8573) attaching the above-mentioned documentation.
Please be advised that, on the days on which the event will be held it will not be possible to accept new accreditation applications. Due to the limited number of places, we will not be able to accept all accreditation applications, as a result of which some might be refused. You will be allowed access to the event only if you receive confirmation of your application.
Applications for parking satellite vehicles must specify the registration number and model of the vehicles and sent by email to accreditamentostampa@esteri.it (tel. 06/3691.3432-8573-8210) no later than Noon on 6 October.
Press badges may be collected (in person and showing valid ID) on the following dates:
Thursday, 7 October at the Foreign Ministry building at Piazzale della Farnesina 1 (Servizio Stampa e Comunicazione Istituzionale office on the 1st Floor).
- from 15:00 to 18:00 (recommended)
Friday, 8 October at the Press Accreditation Desk at the Hotel Sheraton, Parco de’ Medici, Viale Salvatore Rebecchini 39 – Rome (Entrance 1)
- from 7:30 to 8:15
- from 15:00 to 16:15.
Parking: vehicles may be parked in the car park next to the Space Cinema
