The Director General for Development Cooperation, Stefano Gatti, paid a successful visit to Geneva, to engage in discussions with the main humanitarian organisations headquartered in the Swiss city. Accompanied by colleagues from the Emergencies Unit of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, DG Gatti had the opportunity to meet the leadership of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), in order to strengthen the mutual cooperation as well as to illustrate Italy’s priorities for 2025 and consolidating our role as a central player in addressing the main global challenges in the areas of development cooperation, humanitarian action and climate change.
During his visit, the Director General renewed Italy’s commitment to assist the most vulnerable populations affected by humanitarian crises, such as the Middle East, the Sahel and the Horn of Africa. In these contexts, Italy intends to maintain significant political and financial support next year, focusing on principled humanitarian interventions aimed at strengthening the resilience of communities. This strategic vision represent an integral part of the Mattei Plan for Africa, which intends to combine humanitarian assistance and sustainable development with innovative solutions and strengthened partnerships in some priority contexts.
In his conversation with UNHCR Deputy High Commissioner Kelly Clements, Gatti highlighted the importance of addressing global migration challenges through an integrated approach combining humanitarian and development responses. The solid partnership with UNHCR is also crucial for the implementation of the Rome Process, with a particular focus on North and West Africa, the Sahel and the Horn of Africa. During the meeting with the IFRC senior leadership team, the alignment of approaches was confirmed also by the focus on localisation, disaster risk reduction and climate resilience.
During discussions with the ICRC, the Director General emphasised the importance of the ICRC’s work in conflict areas, stressing in particular humanitarian demining activities as well as physical rehabilitation of victims of hostilities, as essential areas for the stabilisation of the most affected areas.
Director Gatti also met with UNDRR Special Representative, Kamal Kishore, and could highlight the Italian expertise in disaster risk reduction, thanks to the tight collaboration between the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) and the Civil Protection Department, working hand in hand to implement the Sendai Framework.
The Director General’s first visit to Geneva renews Italy’s commitment towards multilateralism, development cooperation and local capacity building. Thanks to initiatives such as the Mattei Plan and partnerships with leading international organisations, Italy will continue to lead in defining global strategies addressing the biggest challenges of our times, such as climate, migration, equitable and sustainable development.
