“The consequences of climate change for the lives of populations, which are increasingly frequent and pervasive especially in the world’s most fragile areas, are there for all to see,” said Mattarella.
He made the comments during his speech at the 16th Cotec Europe Symposium at the Teatro Massimo in Palermo.
The King of Spain Philip VI and the President of Portugal, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, were among others present.
“This applies to the Pacific islands at risk of being submerged and to the desertification taking place in many areas,” continued the Italian President.
“The Italian Republic is called upon to play its part in the multilateral appointments of the coming months.”
Mattarella added that next year’s G7 presidency will give Italy “the opportunity to steer the agenda towards coordination with partner countries in a long-term perspective”.
“Food security, climate, energy and investment in sustainable infrastructure will be areas of focus, with particular reference to the African continent. The prosperity of the entire planet is at stake,” insisted the president.
“The pressing need to provide reliable and lasting solutions comes on top of the need to remedy inequalities that increase situations of despair and neglect in many parts of the globe,” he continued.
Mattarella said the recent Covid 19 pandemic and renewed international tensions, such as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, have caused an economic slowdown “with a contraction of spending capacity in all countries, and especially in those with lower incomes”.
“However, we cannot be guided only by emergencies”, the president added.
“The commitment to achieving the goals of the United Nations 2030 Agenda calls for wide-ranging action, capable of involving as many actors as possible.
He said the plan needs to lead “towards a new order, towards sustainable growth” and “that also concerns emerging and developing countries”.
ANSA
