Italy-Africa Summit: A Bridge for Common Growth Statement

Excellencies,

Ladies and gentlemen,

I commend the Government of Italy for convening this important Italy-Africa Summit to promote an equal partnership with Africa, and to ensure that Africa remains central to discussions during the Italian Presidency of the G7.

Agrifood systems transformation is a strategic pillar to pursue Africa’s sustainable socio-economic development and needs to be an integral part of the discussions.

Ensuring that Africa is at the core of the Italian Presidency of the G7 reflects Italy’s commitment to supporting climate action, resilient production systems and rural livelihoods in Africa in response to the Continent’s high vulnerability to multiple shocks.

As host country of FAO’s headquarters since 1951, Italy has been a fundamental part of the history and culture of FAO and an active contributor to the Organization’s work and mandate.

The recent example is the successful co-hosting of last year’s UN Food System Summit+2 Stocktaking Moment and World Food Forum – this reflected the excellent collaboration and strong partnership between FAO and Italy in pursuit of our collective global goals.

We are also grateful to Italy for the new collaboration on the joint project “Green Cities for Africa”, within the context of the FAO Green Cities Initiative, which will allow us to support the actions for mitigation and adaption in ten African cities.

Italy has been providing generous voluntary contributions, with Africa as one of the main partners.

Our successful cooperation in supporting Members through innovative national, regional, and global initiatives is historic and continues to strengthen with time.

Agrifood systems are the backbone of Africa and provide 62 percent of livelihoods.

Africa is also a Continent of opportunities, with its abundant natural resources, a promising young population, traditions, and knowledge.

Yet, the latest figures show that 20 percent of the population is undernourished.

With over 350 million hectares of cultivated cropland - double that of the European Union - Africa has the potential to produce enough food to feed itself and contribute to global food security.

By transforming agrifood systems in Africa to be more efficient, more inclusive, more resilient, and more sustainable could increase average agricultural productivity by two to three times to stimulate the acceleration of rural renovation and development.

Sustainably harnessing the potential of this massive domestic food market can help achieve the vision of an African Continental Free Trade Area, leading to a possible 20 to 30 percent increase in inter- and intra-regional trade in agricultural products by 2040.

This would also strengthen resilience to shocks and stresses, create jobs and market opportunities and help tackle the impacts of the climate crisis.

FAO and partners, such as the African Union and other intergovernmental organizations, promote and implement game-changing solutions, including through disaster risk reduction.

Our studies show that the benefits outweigh the costs by at least two to five times.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Today I would like to propose five important pillars for effective impact in Africa, underpinned by strategic partnerships:

ONE: Targeted Investment.

We need to build on previous collaboration in value chain development, entrepreneurship, and youth employment, to enhance food supply chains, promote sustainable agricultural practices and contribute to climate action.

This can catalyze Africa’s green growth to achieve the Africa Agenda 2063 and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

For example, our collaboration with the Italian Development Public Bank CDP led to the “TERRA” initiative to strengthen resilience of local agrifood systems in Africa. This initiative is also supported by the European Union.

Furthermore, platforms like the FAO Hand-in-Hand Investment Forum, which we organize here in Rome every October, allows Members to meet with potential investors and partners, fostering collaboration and accelerating transformational change.

SECOND: Jobs for Youth and Women Empowerment.

With three-quarters of Africa’s population under 35 years of age, investments in agrifood systems must make agriculture an attractive and rewarding sector for youth.

This is key to address the challenge of unemployment, as well as contribute to overall economic development. And empowering women is critical to this process.

In sub-Saharan Africa, 66 percent of women work in agrifood systems. Closing the gender gap will enrich women and their households, reduce hunger and boost economies.

Cooperation with Italy could focus on investing in developing new technologies for agriculture, supporting women and youth.

As a reflection of FAO’s commitment to supporting women and youth as key role players in the transformation of global agrifood systems, including in Africa, I recently established the FAO Office of Youth and Women to support these key initiatives.

THREE: Collectively address the root causes of migration, bringing new solutions.

By restoring natural resources and production systems and adapting to the impacts of the climate crisis that heavily affects the rural poor, and those who rely on agriculture, pastoralism, and fisheries.

By providing food security and nutrition for all.

By generating decent and environmentally sustainable jobs.

By optimizing the potential of urbanization and industrialization to create job opportunities for youth and women, to improve their lives and ensure they are not left behind.

FOUR: Innovation and Skills development.

Embracing science, innovation and technology is critical in accelerating agrifood systems transformation in Africa. 

FAO's 1000 Digital Villages Initiative, launched in Africa, addresses inequality by fostering digital rural transformation and ensuring no one to leave behind.

And last year’s Global Conference on Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization, hosted by FAO, highlighted how innovation and technology can greatly benefit Africa to increase productivity and resilience.  

A new dialogue between Italian and African training, academia and research institutions will play a crucial role in boosting much-needed innovation, skills, and capacity across the Continent.

And FIVE: Market Access and Trade.

The strategic partnerships and the geographic proximity advantage between Africa and Italy should be leveraged to its fullest to strengthen market access and trade.

The benefits of Africa’s Free Trade Area can be achieved quicker by joining FAO OCOP initiative, investing in more competitive agrifood value chains, strengthening their governance and coordination, improving compliance with food safety, and increasing the market power of cooperatives.

Dear Friends,

Let us continue to work together in an efficient, effective, and coherent manner to forge even stronger partnerships and to build a bridge for collective growth between Italy and Africa.

Our collaboration today will shape the future and contribute to the Four Betters: better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind.

Thank you.