Commissioner Neven Mimica in Rome to discuss the future of Italian development and cooperation policy

Today, the Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development, Neven Mimica, will be in Rome for the first National Conference on Development and Cooperation. Closer cooperation and joint-up action between the EU and its Member States is one of the cornerstones of the new European Consensus on Development. Ahead of the visit, Commissioner Mimica commented: “A regular dialogue between the European Union and our Member States on development and international cooperation is indispensable to tackle major global challenges. Poverty, gender inequality, migration and mobility, and the protection of human rights are just a few examples where more joint-up action is needed to meet the Sustainable Development Goals. Today we are already working with Italy in 35 developing countries, covering all continents.  I want to see us step up this common effort further, to increase our collective impact and to support effectively our partners’ sustainable development strategies.” The two-day event, hosted by the Italian Ministry for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, will see a number of high level attendants, including the President of the Central African Republic, Mr Faustin-Archange Touadera.