“Italy wants to work together with key public and private actors to tackle climate change at both the national and global levels,” said Antonio Tajani, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, who had a “positive” meeting with John Kerry, the US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, on Monday in Rome.
- “Strong bilateral” Italy-US collaboration to address “key challenges such as immigration and food security”, Tajani tweeted.
- “Looking forward to Italy’s continued climate and clean energy leadership as they prepare to host next year’s G7 conference,” Kerry tweeted.
Italy is characterised by an industrial and agricultural vocation that necessitates a fair and gradual energy transition, closely aligned with the needs of businesses and citizens,” Tajani explained, according to a Ministry of Foreign Affairs statement.
- “The same applies to Italy’s international action, where we must ensure a virtuous circle of equitable, cooperative, non-predatory, and mutually beneficial growth, with particular attention to the African continent,” he added.
Tajani also emphasised the central role of the Mattei Plan, which the Italian government will present in October, to incentivise the energy transition in emerging countries and communities most vulnerable to the effects of climate change.
- “This objective is closely linked to the actions taken to counter irregular migration flows towards Europe,” he noted.
- Ahead of Italy’s presidency of the G7 in 2024, the Italian government aims to revitalise relations with global partners, particularly in Africa and within the context of the Brazilian presidency of the G20.
Kerry is currently on a European tour, with stops in Rome, Vatican City, Brussels, and Paris.
- On Monday, he was received by Pope Francis. He is the first official to have a private audience with him since his discharge from hospital, and told Reuters that he found the pontiff “in great spirits and in great form.”
- “For years, Pope Francis has championed greater global climate ambition – and his Laudato Si’ remains a landmark call to protect God’s creation,” Kerry tweeted. “It was an honour to meet with the Holy Father to discuss ways to mobilise resources, inspire action, and keep 1.5 degrees within reach,” he added.
