Quirinale Palace, 28/01/2024 (II mandato)
Distinguished guests,
Let me first extend a very warm welcome to you all.
It is a very great pleasure to have you as our guests at the Quirinale Palace on the occasion of this first Summit between Africa and Italy attended by Heads of State and Government.
We intend and hope to establish – following the intense dialogue started over the past years through Italy-Africa ministerial conferences – ever morerobust and structured relations between the African continent and our country.
Throughout my years in office, I have had many opportunities to appreciate first-hand the reality of a dynamic and enterprising continent, with its multi-faceted and deeply rooted cultural characteristics; a continent inhabited by young women and men who look to the future with confidence.
The presence here this evening of so many prestigious dignitaries from Africa is the tangible expression of the close and sincere friendship that unites our peoples. The Italian Republic thanks you for this.
These bonds are further consolidated by the presence, in Italy, of several communities of African origin, which play an active and vital role in our society, contributing – through their valuable work – to the economic and cultural growth of our country.
This is evidence of a globalisation that unites the destinies of our continents, which are so stronglyinterconnected.
We are indeed confronted with common challenges that jeopardise the value of peace, hence the fate of humankind.
The task that lies ahead of us is, therefore, that of harnessing the extraordinary potential for developingrelations between Africa and Europe. In the political sphere, in order to extinguish the hotbeds of tension and conflict; in the economic sphere, so as to ensure sustainable modes of production and an equitabledistribution of resources; and in the cultural sphere, to enhance the rich heritage of our respective cultures.
In a world marked by old and new faultlines and instability, Africa holds the potential for shaping - in terms of their quality and effectiveness - the responses the international community must provide, based on a roadmap outlined by the African Union itself in the Agenda 2063.
It is therefore imperative that the role of African countries in international fora be expanded: both Italy and the European Union are fully committed to achieving such a goal. In this regard, there has been a first, important accomplishment: the African Union’s full membership of the G20.
Distinguished guests,
the European Union upholds a vision based on the value of effective multilateralism, founded on universal principles.
Italy has indeed enshrined such principles in the forging of balanced partnerships that are respectful of the rights of each and every people, in accordance with the model that a leader such as Enrico Mattei so aptly symbolised. Mattei was a key figure in the Italian people’s struggle for liberty and that is the reason why he was a keen advocate of the African peoples and their path to independence and liberation.
We can and we must work on a vision to be shaped together.
Should we fail to do so, a heavy price would have to be paid by future generations. We cannot afford to pass on to them impoverished societies, a degraded environment or migration as a painful response to unresolved problems.
There is a broad spectrum of possible collaborative efforts: the prospect for economic integration connected to the launch of an African continental free trade area; industrialisation and the setting up of greater value-added production processesso as to harness, on site, the immense natural resources available; technological modernisation; energy and infrastructure; a strong and renewed commitment in terms of education and training; healthcare; a shared resolve in combating the root causes of terrorism and countering the resurgence of outdated imperialist ideologies.
These responses are necessary, notably in view ofstrong demographic growth in the African continent.
In this agenda, the Italian Republic is ready to play its part, including in the framework of its G7 Presidency, and to offer its effective and significant contribution, starting by maintaining its financial commitment to the African continent.
Cooperation drives progress.
Distinguished guests,
Let me quote a wise African proverb: “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together”.
In order for our path to be a shared one, leading to wellbeing and peace in Africa, in Europe and in the world, we must join forces to achieve our ambitions.
It is in this spirit of friendship that I renew my warmest and heartfelt welcome to Italy, wishing good health and prosperity to all of you and to the African peoples.
