Italy reiterates commitment to enhancing coffee supply chains in Africa
Addis Ababa, November 27, 2024 (FBC) – Inter-Africa Coffee Organization (IACO) High Level Policy Forum and the 64th Annual General Assembly held in Addis Ababa yesterday under the theme “Building Resilience and Competitiveness in African Coffee: From Farm to Market”
In recent remarks on the forum, Italian Ambassador to Ethiopia Agostino Palese highlighted Italy’s commitment to enhancing coffee supply chains in Africa through strategic partnerships, particularly in line with the spirit of the Mattei Plan. The Italian Agency for Development Cooperation is collaborating with UNIDO to support producing countries, focusing on creating resilient, equitable, and efficient coffee supply chains.
Ambassador Palese stressed the importance of fostering strong public-private alliances, emphasizing that innovation from companies is essential for overcoming challenges in the sector. He announced plans for a global private-public fund, introduced during Italy’s G7 Presidency, aimed at enhancing the coffee supply chain’s climate resilience and economic sustainability.
The fund will encourage participation from governments, private companies, and investors while promoting collaboration between coffee-producing and consuming nations. Palese concluded by underscoring Italy’s dedication to building effective partnerships to ensure lasting improvements in the coffee sector, crucial for global well-being.