Geneva 2 June 2020
Distinguished Permanent Representatives, distinguished Directors General to the International Organisations and High Commissioners for Human Rights and Refugees,
on the occasion of the Italian National Day we celebrate today, I would like to convey to you the greetings of the President of the Italian Republic Sergio Mattarella.
Italy is recovering from the Covid-19 pandemic. Three months after the beginning of the emergency, Italy has suffered 33,500 casualties with 6,100 people still hospitalized, while hundreds of thousands of Italians have lost their jobs.
We have been severely hit by this catastrophic disease but we have been able to face this challenging crisis thanks to the extraordinary contribution of the Italian people, medical personnel, law enforcement, the Civil Protection Department and volunteers.
We have also been supported by many Countries, including those severely affected by the pandemic too, that have shown their solidarity and friendship by providing masks, ventilators, field hospitals and medical teams, and by treating Italian patients.
Thanks to their valuable support we have been able to save many lives. This is why, on behalf of Italy, I would like to express my deepest gratitude for their generosity.
During this crisis, Italy has continued playing its role in the UN system and to give its contribution not only to the global response to Covid-19 but also to provide help and support to vulnerable people and groups: migrants, refugees, women, children, people suffering human rights violations and humanitarian crises.
Italy’s priority, in fact, is to help, to build bridges and to promote dialogue within the International Community, as Italy strongly believes in multilateralism.
Only an effective multilateralism, based on international cooperation, transparency and equality among States can offer solutions to the multiple challenges we have to face.
Being health an essential pre-condition for peace, security and prosperity, on March 20 the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Italy, the Hon. Luigi Di Maio, has launched an appeal to create an international alliance for a Covid-19 vaccine.
Therefore, Italy has strongly supported the launch of the “ACT-Accelerator” initiative for universally accessible Covid-19 technologies, treatments and vaccines. As Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said at the World Health Assembly “the promotion of global health will be at the top of the agenda of the next G20 Italian Presidency as a common priority and shared responsibility with the entire world”.
At the same time, Italy will continue to promote dialogue, human rights, development, peace and security and the protection of the environment, for us and for the next generations.
Through humanitarian assistance, Italy will continue to help people in need, including those living in areas of crises, who are exposed to the pandemic.
In its capacity of member of the Human Rights Council Italy will always be on the front line to build a better world, in order to leave no one behind.
You can rest assured that Italy will emerge even stronger from the terrible crisis it has been experiencing.
With my warmest regards and my best wishes,
Gian Lorenzo Cornado
Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Italy to the International Organizations
Geneva
