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2024 Italy–Africa Summit

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2024 Italy–Africa Summit
Group photo at the 2024 Italy–Africa Summit in Rome
Host countryItaly
Date28–29 January 2024
Venue(s)Palazzo Madama
CitiesRome

The 2024 Italy–Africa Summit took place in Rome on January 28–29. Hosted by the government of Italy, the summit was attended by representatives of forty-five African countries as well as the African Union.

Background

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The summit was held within the context of a rise in immigration from North Africa to Italy, particularly by using boats to cross the Mediterranean Sea.[1][2] Following the 2022 Italian general election, Giorgia Meloni of the Brothers of Italy became Prime Minister, after running on a platform of curbing illegal immigration and soft Euroscepticism.[3] The announcement of the summit was seen as Meloni attempting to increase the status of Italy's foreign policy and curb immigration.[4]

Summit

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The summit was hosted in the Palazzo Madama in Rome.[5] President Sergio Matterella received the heads of the delegations in the Quirinale Palace on 28 January.[6]

A central focus of the summit was the unveiling of the Mattei Plan, a strategic initiative named after Enrico Mattei, founder of the Italian energy giant Eni. With an annual budget of 3 billion euros over four years, the plan seeks to address the root economic causes of mass migration, emphasizing energy cooperation, investment in health and education, and critical infrastructure development. However, the Mattei Plan faces challenges, including Italy's financial constraints and competition with global players in Africa. Critics question its feasibility and suggest a need for a clearer strategy.[7][8][4][9][10]

Italy announced an initial 5.5 billion euro investment for the plan.[11]

Participating countries

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Representatives of forty-five countries from Africa as well as the African Union attended the meeting.[5] This included more thaan 20 head of states as well as representatives from the European Union.[10]

The participants included:[12]

Non-head of state or head of government delegations were present from Algeria, Angola, Botswana, Cameroon, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Namibia, Rwanda, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, South Africa, South Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, and Zambia. Various international organizations including the IMF, IEA, World Bank, and United Nations were also represented.[12]

Aftermath

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Italy, coinciding with its G7 presidency in 2024, emphasizes strategic partnerships with Africa, and is set to invite the leaders of four African countries and the African Union to the G7 summit in Rome in June 2024.[13][14]

References

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  1. ^ Harlan, Chico (28 March 2023). "Migration to Italy is soaring. And it's still the off-season". The Washington Post. Retrieved 12 April 2024.
  2. ^ "What's behind the surge in migrants arriving to Italy?". PBS NewsHour. 2023-09-15. Retrieved 2024-04-12.
  3. ^ Harlan, Chico (26 September 2022). "Right-wing victory in Italy expected to bring swift changes to migration". The Washington Post. Retrieved 12 April 2024.
  4. ^ a b "Giorgia Meloni's African ambition". Le Monde. 2024-01-28. Archived from the original on 2024-01-28. Retrieved 2024-01-28.
  5. ^ a b Giuffrida, Angela; Tondo, Lorenzo (2024-01-29). "African Union Commission calls for 'paradigm shift' at Italy-Africa summit". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-04-12.
  6. ^ "Italia-Africa. A bridge for common growth". www.governo.it. 2024-01-28. Retrieved 2024-04-12.
  7. ^ "Italian PM reveals "Mattei Plan" for African development ahead of Italy-Africa Summit | Africanews". 2024-01-28. Archived from the original on 2024-01-28. Retrieved 2024-01-28.
  8. ^ "Waiting for the Italy-Africa summit: the government will present the Mattei Plan tomorrow". 2024-01-28. Archived from the original on 2024-01-28. Retrieved 2024-01-28.
  9. ^ Amante, Angelo (29 January 2024). "Italy's Meloni pledges new partnership with Africa, funds limited". Reuters. Retrieved 12 April 2024.
  10. ^ a b Torkington, Simon (8 February 2024). "A $6 billion investment in Africa's future and other key outcomes from the Italy-Africa summit". World Economic Forum. Retrieved 12 April 2024.
  11. ^ "What we know about the Italian development plan for Africa". Reuters. 29 January 2024. Retrieved 12 April 2024.
  12. ^ a b "Italia–Africa. A Bridge For Common Growth" (PDF).
  13. ^ "New G7 President Italy to Push Africa Partnerships, Not Aid, Meloni Says". Voice of America. 2024-01-06. Retrieved 2024-01-28.
  14. ^ Amante, Angelo (11 April 2024). "Italy to invite African, South American leaders to G7 summit". Reuters. Retrieved 12 April 2024.
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