“Mission 300” is the ambitious initiative launched by the World Bank Group and the African Development Bank, to which Italy has confirmed its support, to connect 300 million people in sub-Saharan Africa to electricity by 2030. The access to reliable, affordable and sustainable energy is essential to fuel an equally sustainable development in Africa. Mission 300 is therefore a unique initiative that brings together African governments, the private sector and development partners to provide affordable energy, expand access to electricity, increase the efficiency of services, attract private investment and improve regional energy integration, driving economic transformation. The session aims to introduce the program to Italian companies to promote sustainable business development and partnership opportunities, and to encourage the contribution of the Italian private sector to the program.
Opening remarks:Francesco Corvaro – Italy’s Envoy for Climate ChangeModerator:Anna Flavia Pascarelli – Manager Europe-Africa Office | ITA - Italian Trade AgencySpeaker:Stefania Lenoci – Resident Representative for Italy, World Bank GroupDaniel Schroth – Director in charge of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency, African Development BankDon Purka – M300 Lead Investment Officer, World BankElisa Portale – Senior Energy Specialist, World BankRound Table Discussion with:Cristina Morelli – Responsabile Finanziamenti sovrani, istituzioni finanziarie e imprese - Cooperazione Internazionale allo Sviluppo, CDPRaffaello Matarazzo – Head, International Affairs and Business Support, Sub Saharan Africa & Americas ENISimone Pasquini – Area Manager Africa di CESI SpAAndrea Pestarino – Strategic Development Financial Institutions Director, RINA Consulting Business DevelopmentNicolò Sartori – Responsabile Affari Bilaterali & Analisi dei Paesi, ENELONE-TO-ONE MEETINGS | Between Italian companies & MDB representatives
Transforming Global Challenges Together: Unlocking Private Sector Opportunities in UN ProcurementCoordinated by UNOPS - in collaboration with IFAD11:00 - 12:00 | Hall 1
The meeting aims to strengthen dialogue and collaboration between the private sector and United Nations agencies, addressing global challenges through innovative procurement tools and public-private partnerships. The conference will provide an overview of concrete opportunities for companies, illustrating how to access the tenders and the purchasing processes of the UN agencies. This is because the UN agencies currently manage a strategic procurement system introducing significant opportunities for private companies, suppliers and partners, indicating priority sectors and ways to access tenders.
Moderator: Martìn Arevalo – Representative UNOPS in ItalyKeynote Speech:Marcus McKay – Head of Sustainable Supply Chains, UNOPS"The Need for New Collaborations to Respond to Global Crises"Panel Discussion: Bisogni e opportunitàRainatou Baillet – World Food Programme, WFP“Digitalization and transformation of food systems”Davide Blancato – Food and Agriculture Organization, FAO“Food products transformation”Duccio Maria Tenti – United Nations Development Programme, UNDP“Energy transition and climate change”Ignazio Matteini – United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, UNHCR“Sustainable supply chains and resilient infrastructures”Silvia Uneddu – United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF“Healthcare and digital education”
Doing business with the United Nations: concrete opportunities from the UN Rome HubCoordinated by UNOPS - in collaboration with IFAD12:00 – 13:00 | Hall 1
Rome is one of the main operational centers of the United Nations system, the so-called Roman Pole of the UN – composed of FAO, IFAD and WFP – the beating heart of the global strategy on sustainable agriculture, food security and rural development. These three agencies represent a structured and transparent market of international public procurementwith an annual volume of over 1.5 billion euros in goods and services purchased directly in Italy or through registered suppliers.For Italian companies – from SMEs to large companies – this represents an extraordinary opportunity to access new global markets, through international tenders ranging from food supply to health services, from office supplies to fuel, up to logistics, travel, maintenance of green spaces, technological support.During the panel, the main issues of UN procurement will be addressed: how to register on the UNGM (UN Global Marketplace) platform, what are the criteria for participating in tenders, how to prepare an effective offer and what mistakes to avoid. Useful strategies will be shared to overcome perceived complexities, to activate effective communication channels with UN buyers and build lasting relationships, beyond the single contract closing.It will also be a moment of direct comparison, with interactive sessions and the possibility of establishing useful contacts to open new business prospects with a positive social and environmental impact.
Moderator:Ingegerd (Ina) Nordin – IFAD Corporate Procurement and Insurance ManagerSpeaker:Rainatou Baillet – World Food Programme, WFPDavide Blancato – Food and Agriculture Organization, FAODuccio Maria Tenti – United Nations Development Programme, UNDPFabrizio Bertora – United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, UNHCRSilvia Uneddu – United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEFQ&A
Cooperation with the Italian Private Sector for Business Development in AfricaCare of CIHEAM Bari14:30 - 15:30 | Hall 1
Experiences from the Startup10 and Tanit - TANdem Italy-Tunisia Projects for Food Security.The conference aims to promote the discussion on the involvement of Italian companies in international cooperation initiatives focused on knowledge transfer and support for the creation and development of startups and micro-enterprises in Africa. The event will be an opportunity to compare models and experiences (STARTUP10, TANIT, CIHEAM Bari and other experiences by UNIDO, OECD, E4Impact) aimed at strengthening the local innovation ecosystem and the role of international actors and networking for the enhancement of local startups and innovative companies.In this context, the role of the Italian private sector proves to be strategic both as an actor in Knowledge transfer and as an accelerator of startups. The conference therefore aims to initiate a discussion on the prospects of this cooperation model, which involves public institutions, research bodies, Innovation Support Organizations and private enterprises. Successful real-world experiences in knowledge transfer and entrepreneurial development programs in Africa will be presented, promoting cooperation between public institutions, research organizations, and the Italian private sector to strengthen the innovation ecosystem. Additionally, strategies for consolidating public-private partnerships to support African startups will be discussed, along with an in-depth analysis of the role of the Italian System as an accelerator of innovation and development on the continent. The event will provide an important networking opportunity for companies, institutions, and organizations interested in investing in the development of startups and micro-enterprises in Africa, enhancing opportunities for investment, innovation, and sustainable business growth in Africa.
Introduces and moderates: Massimo Zaurrini, InternationaliaSpeaker:Biagio Di Terlizzi, Stefano Carbonara, Damiano Petruzzella - CIHEAM BariCarlos Watson - Chief, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, FAOHaikel Hechlef - Chef du cabinet, Ministre de l'Agriculture des Ressources Hydrauliques et de la Pêche, TunisiaAndrea De Marco - Partnership Advisor, UNIDOMauro Borin - E4Impact
Rotection and Stabilisation along Migration Routes: Integrated Strategies for Forced MigrationCare of UNHCR15:30 - 16:30 | Hall 1
Over 120 million people worldwide are currently forced to flee their homes due to conflict, violence and persecution. Faced with ever-growing humanitarian needs, available resources are increasingly limited. What responses can be given to this global challenge?The event promoted by UNHCR shines a spotlight on the route-based approach, a concrete strategy to protect and stabilise people on the move throughout their migration journey. Tale approccio diventa ancora più urgente alla luce delle crescenti sfide umanitarie e dei tagli ai finanziamenti che, come avverte l’Alto Commissario Filippo Grandi, “renderanno il mondo meno sicuro, spingendo più persone disperate a diventare rifugiati o a continuare a muoversi.”During the meeting, practical examples of the application of this approach in geopolitical contexts key to Italy will be presented, highlighting the synergy with the priorities outlined in the Mattei Plan for Africa.The potential of this approach to strengthen asylum systems, generate lasting solutions and create safe and regular pathways, such as work corridors, will be discussed. A specific focus will therefore be placed on the role of the private sector and businesses, which are actors capable of offering employment opportunities, facilitating local integration and contributing to development in host countries.The driving force behind this approach and the partnership with countries along the migration routes is the ‘Sistema Paese’: a strategic collaboration between institutions, civil society and the private sector which, with the support of international organisations, makes it possible to mobilise skills, resources and tools to address forced migration in a coordinated, effective and sustainable manner, in accordance with the principles of solidarity and shared responsibility.
Introduces and moderates: Chiara Cardoletti – UNHCR Representative to Italy, the Holy See and San MarinoSpeaker:Carla Di Quattro - Capo Ufficio Relazioni Internazionali del Dipartimento per le libertà civili e l’immigrazione del Ministero dell’Interno"Il rafforzamento dei sistemi di asilo nei Paesi di prima accoglienza"Marco Riccardo Rusconi - Direttore dell’Agenzia Italiana per la Cooperazioneallo Sviluppo"Cooperazione allo sviluppo nei contesti di sfollamento forzato: prospettive di inclusione"Andrea Atzori - Responsabile delle relazioni internazionali per Medici con l’Africa – CUAMM"Soluzioni inclusive nei Paesi di prima accoglienza"Simona Torre - Director General Fondazione Italiana Accenture"La costruzione di soluzioni durature per le persone rifugiate: i corridoi lavorativi"Laurence Hart - Direttore dell’Ufficio di Coordinamento per il Mediterraneo dell’OIM - Capo Missione per l’Italia e Malta, Rappresentante presso la Santa Sede"I ritorni volontari assistiti e le opzioni migratorie"Conclusions:Stefano Bianchi - Direttore Centrale per le politiche migratorie e la mobilità internazionale del Ministero degli Affari Esteri e della Cooperazione Internazionale
Projects, challenges, and opportunities: Unfolding the sustainability and economic growth of the textile-apparel industry in AfricaCare of UNIDO11:00 - 12:00 | Hall 2
The textile and fashion industries are at a pivotal moment, marked by profound restructuring and consolidation. Amid this transformation, African countries offer both unique opportunities and significant challenges. UNIDO projects in Egypt, Ghana, and the C4 countries—Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad, and Côte d’Ivoire—are focused on building a local textile and apparel value chain that is economically inclusive and environmentally responsible, reshaping and upgrading their role in the global value chain.As major cotton producers, these countries are investing in sustainability to enhance the appeal and competitiveness of "white gold"—the world’s most widely used natural fiber. Yet, there remains untapped potential in value addition and innovation. New opportunities are emerging for production hubs and business ventures focused on recycling and repurposing. These initiatives aim to create jobs, improve livelihoods, and promote environmental sustainability.This panel will explore Africa's potential to become a key player in sustainable textile production and how the continent can seize the opportunities arising from current shifts in textile and apparel sourcing.
Key discussion themes:
Strengthening local textile value chains from farm to fashion
Advancing circularity: reuse, recycling, and upcycling in African markets
Leveraging partnership with private sector and international organizations
Investing in people to advance innovation and sustainability
Speakers:Sara Berlese - Chief Technical Coordinator at UNIDO ITPO ItalyFrank VAN ROMPAEY - UNIDO Representative in GeneveOmar Bellicini - External Relations Manager – MICSAntonio Franceschini - General Secretary and Head of International Market and Trade promotion Office – CNA FedermodaThe panel will be moderated by Roberto Apicella - UNIDO ITPO ItalyExpected OutcomesAttendees will have a deeper understanding of the current situation and possible future of the African cotton supply and transformation industries.The panel participants will have had the opportunity to be asked questions and reflect on their position within the continental and global cotton/textile/fashion trade.The panel participants will have had the opportunity to meet (prior or post panel) with the other panel participants, hopefully mentioning and discussing potential collaborative avenues.
Craft Business Networks: A Model of Sustainability and Development for the Future of AfricaCare of Confartigianato Imprese12:00 - 13:30 | Hall 2
Institutional greetings and opening remarks:Marco Granelli- President of Confartigianato ImpreseSCENARIOS AND OPPORTUNITIES: ZAMBIA TODAYNchimunya Chisuta- Economic Counsellor Embassy of ZambiaECONOMIC DIPLOMACY AND BUSINESS NETWORKS: OPPORTUNITIES FOR AFRICAFabrizio Lobasso - Deputy General Director for Economic Internationalization – MAECICASE STUDY: ITALTECHNICS – A BRIDGE BETWEEN ITALY AND SUB-SAHARAN AFRICAMichele Mengaroni- President of ItaltechnicsEXPANDING ITALIAN SMES BUSINESS IN ZAMBIA: MARKET ACCESS, STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS, INVESTMENTS (Videoconference connection)Albert Halwampa- Direttore Zambia Development Agency, ZDAAnthony Kabaghe- Presidente Camera di Commercio e dell’Industria dello Zambia, ZACCIBUILDING BRIDGES AND SHARED PATHS: LEARNING,
LISTENING, AND CO-RESPONSIBILITY ASCOLTO E CORRESPONSABILITÀBernardetta Cannas- Social Program Manager ANCoS – Confartigianato ImpreseFabio Ballerini- Consigliere per l'Africa sub-sahariana-Ufficio del Consigliere Diplomatico del Presidente del ConsiglioConclusions:Lorenzo Ortona- Deputy Coordinator of the “Piano Mattei for Africa”Marco Riccardo Rusconi- Director Italian Cooperation and Development Agency, AICSQ&A
Innovation, Business and Youth - Teaming up for DevelopmentCare of UNIDO14:30 - 15:30 | Hall 2
The panel offers a unique opportunity to bring together stakeholders from diverse sectors involved in supporting start-ups and innovation in developing countries. Voices from incubators, investors, academia, technical agencies, institutions, and business networks will contribute to a rich exchange of challenges faced, solutions developed, and best practices adopted across different contexts. By drawing on their complementary expertise, the roundtable aims to foster a deeper understanding of innovation ecosystems and lay the groundwork for impactful, cross-sectoral synergies.
Moderator:Andrea Carapellese – Deputy Head of UNIDO ITPO ItalyThe Italian Investment and Technology Promotion Office (ITPO Italy) of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization is based in Rome. Its mandate is to enhance the competitiveness of private sector in developing countries, through the mobilization of investments as well as the transfer of technology, and management skills together with capacity building activities required for the implementation of industrial projects, SMEs upgrading and fostering innovation in emerging countries.Speaker:Sanaa Jawad – National Advisor at Iraqi Federation of IndustriesThe Federation of Iraqi Industries supports the development of Iraq's industrial sector. They focus on protecting national industry where necessary, promoting exports, and organizing industrial conferences and seminars. They are also involved in preparing feasibility studies, conducting surveys, and providing expertise.Diego Raiteri – Vice President at European Institute of Innovation and SustainabilityEIIS is dedicated to educating individuals and organizations on sustainable development through a variety of programs, including online and onsite master courses, aimed at enhancing expertise in sustainability-driven innovation. EIIS provides customized advisory services including capacity-building projects and collaborations with industry leaders.Noa Segre – Partner, International Business Development at Zest GroupZest is the market leader in Italy for early-stage venture capital investments, startup acceleration, scale-up support, and Open Innovation programs. They focus on fostering growth in the innovation ecosystem, providing resources and expertise to help startups succeed.Mattia Voltaggio – Head of Joule, ENI School for EntrepreunershipENI Joule is ENI’s school of entrepreneurship, dedicated to supporting the growth of innovative startups through training courses and acceleration programs. They focus on sustainability, decarbonization, and the circular economy, providing resources and mentorship to help startups thrive.Valentina Gentile / Giovanni Stoppiello – Head of Innovation for Public Administration at ENEAENEA, the Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy, and Sustainable Economic Development, conducts scientific and technological research in energy, environment, and innovation. They provide technical support and technology transfer to developing countries, focusing on climate change mitigation and sustainable development.Enzo Faloci – Project Manager at Umbria Digital Innovation HubUmbria Digital Innovation Hub, promoted by Confindustria Umbria, supports businesses in their transition towards Industry 4.0 by raising awareness, providing guidance, and facilitating access to advanced technologies. As part of both the national and European DIH networks, it is focused on digital innovation, technology transfer, and managerial training.
National statistics as a tool for good governance: transparency, accountability and opportunitiesCare of AICS15:30 - 16:30 | Hall 2
The strengthening and development of the national statistical systems of partner countries is historically a sector considered of fundamental importance by the Italian Cooperation, which recognizes in quality public data and statistics a specific area of intervention of its development programs.The panel aims to demonstrate the Agency's commitment to to production, dissemination and use of transparent, reliable and independent official statistics as a a key tool for the development of favorable, open, competitive and inclusive social and economic environments, giving value to the contributions of the different actors, of the Italian system but also of the and international systems.The meeting also creates the place for a shared reflection on the possible new perspectives and collaborations, in a network perspective, offered by the rapidly evolving field of data, exploiting the technological accelerations underway.
Opening remarks:Leonardo Carmenati - AICS, Deputy Technical Director*Speaker:Manlio Calzaroni -Responsabile ASviS area “attività e progetti di ricerca”“Statistics for monitoring Agenda 2030”Maurizio Vichi - Full Professor of Statistics at the Faculty of Statistics of Sapienza University of Rome, President of COGIS Commission for the Guarantee of the Quality of Statistical Information of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers“The role of academia in statistical and STEM education in general, as a driving force for the development of modern societies and competitive labor markets”Papa Seck - Chief UN-WOMEN, Research and Data Section“Goal 5 and its indicators as essential tools for gender equality” (recorded contribution)
UNIDROIT tools for sustainable developmentCare of UNIDROIT10:00 - 11:00 | Hall 1
The International Institute for the Unification of Private Law Unidroit, with its 65 Member States, has always been at the forefront of the development of international legal instruments in the field of private and commercial law aimed at the modernization, harmonization and coordination of private and commercial law between States and groups of States and, in this way, to facilitate economic growth and sustainable development at global level.Through its general and more specific instruments, aimed at States, groups of States and international trade operators (international conventions, model laws, principles and “restatements of law”, legislative and contractual guides, studies), Unidroit contributes to providing normative models and standards to facilitate the achievement of a large number of the sustainable development goals within the 2030 Agenda (SDGs). In particular, among the instruments more specifically aimed at sustainable development objectives already adopted by UNIDROIT, those developed in the field of private law and agricultural development stand out, such as the “Legal Guide on Contract Farming” and the “Legal Guide on Agricultural Investment Contracts” in collaboration with FAO and IFAD, as well as the “Model Law on Warehouse Receipts” in partnership with UNCITRAL, all instrumental to the achievement of the SDGs most closely linked to food security (SDGs no. 1, 2 and 3 “no poverty”, “zero hunger” and “good health and well being”) and growth (SDG no. 8 “decent work and economic growth”).This workshop is dedicated to the most recent projects that UNIDROIT has adopted or is developing to strengthen a “global rule of law” in the field of private and commercial law, capable of contributing to the achievement of sustainable development goals in a wider range of sectors:
“Verified Carbon Credits” (VCC): the future UNIDROIT instrument, developed with the participation of the World Bank, intends to introduce common transnational principles on the legal nature of VCCs and propose adequate private and commercial law rules that favour the formation and development of mature markets for the exchange of VCCs, thus incentivizing activities of environmental risk reduction and facilitating the transition towards a more sustainable economy;
“Legal Guides on agriculture-related contracts”: the Guide on “Agricultural Land Investment Contracts” and “Contract farming” both contribute to integrating sustainability-related elements into agricultural production activities, the former providing forms of environmental and social due diligence and protection of traditional farmers and their rights, the latter providing contractual guidelines aimed at encouraging the stipulation of balanced contracts for the benefit of small producers, SMEs and rural communities.
“UPICC and International Investment contracts”: the future instrument, currently being developed in collaboration with the “Institute of World Business Law” at the International Chamber of Commerce, intends to offer States, or State entities, and private foreign investors a list of principles, accompanied by a commentary and appropriate model clauses, that balance the protection of foreign investors with the need to ensure the protection of the environment, labour, civil society and the rights of individuals and local communities in crucial sectors such as energy, infrastructure and industrial and technological cooperation.
Introduces and moderates:Maria Teresa Iaquinta- Director of the IPLD Programme – UNIDROIT
The UNIDROIT project on Verified Carbon Credits (VCC) as a tool for a swift transition to a more sustainable economy Prof.ssa Meiling Huang, Principal Legal Officer, UNIDROIT
“Sustainability through UNIDROIT's Legal Guides on agriculture-related contracts: Contract Farming and Land Investment Contracts”
Dott.ssa Priscila de Andrade - Legal Officer, UNIDROIT
The UNIDROIT-ICC project on the UPICC and International Investment contracts between investors protection and sustainability
Knowledge and Entrepreneurship.Culture for development cooperation and in the Mattei Plan for AfricaCare of AICS11:00 - 13:00 | Hall 1
Cultural heritage and activities constitute an effective area of intervention in development programs, also recognized at international level as an Italian excellence, always used in the cooperation policies of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. The particular nature of the event represents a good opportunity to present to the public the "Italian system" that operates in the world and the opportunities that the cultural heritage and culture sector offers in development cooperation for:
Public Administrations that promote and support interventions
Universities, which together with counterparts in partner countries carry out activities aimed at research and valorisation, also through the creation of services for the use of cultural heritage (material and immaterial)
Restoration enterprises, specialized studios and companies that produce products and machinery for the restoration and conservation of goods and monuments
Archaeological Site and Monument Management Enterprises
OSCs working on projects for the recovery and enhancement of cultural heritage and the creation of cultural services for resident communities
International organizations committed to the recovery and enhancement of cultural heritage broadly understood for the development of territories.
AICS (Office I and Office III - Culture & Development Team) plans to present information material and panels pertaining to AICS activities in this thematic area and to promote the organization of a public Round Table, with actors representing the "Italian system" of the sector and beyond.
Opening remarks:Marco Riccardo Rusconi - AICS DirectorMassimo Riccardo - Special Envoy of the Minister for the Mattei Plan*Moderator: Emilio Cabasino - Team Cultura&Sviluppo, AICSSpecial Envoy of the Minister for the Mattei Plan*Roberto Mengoni - Head of Office, Off.IV Africa, DGCS, MAECILuigi Oliva - Director of the Ministry of Culture – Central Institute for RestorationorPaola Abenante - SAIMP AICS Project, Office III – Culture & Development TeamAlessandra Rainaldi - Consumer Goods Office - Housing System, Restoration, ICE/ITAThe actors' vision: Universities, Businesses, Civil Society, International OrganizationsRaffaele Torino - Delegate for International Cooperation, Roma Tre UniversityGiovanna Barni - President CulTurMediaPatrizia Barucco - Assorestauro (ArsProgetti)Silvia Stilli - President AOIAruna Francesca Maria Gujral - Director General ICCROMConclusions:Tiziana de Gennaro - AICS-Office III – Culture & Development Team“Indicators for the sector”Emilio Cabasino - AICS-Office III – Culture & Development Team“Future Prospects”
Access to credit and development: operational tools.Care of UNIDROIT14:00 - 15:00 | Hall 1
Access to credit is a crucial driver of economic and social development. It allows individuals, businesses and organizations to make investments, start businesses, expand operations and meet liquidity needs. However, access to credit is not always uniform and often the most vulnerable segments of the population and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) face greater difficulties.To overcome these challenges and promote inclusive and sustainable development, different operational tools can be implemented, but the effectiveness of these tools depends on a favourable political and economic context, efficient governance and close collaboration between public institutions, the private sector and civil society organisations. Promoting fair and well-managed access to credit is a strategic investment for sustainable and inclusive development.
Introduces and moderates:William Brydie-Watson - Senior Legal Officer, UNIDROITNicola Maria BottaHead of the Foreign Office at the Rome Headquarters, Banca Popolare di Sondrio“Banking support for business internationalization”Priscila de Andrade - Legal Officer, UNIDROIT"Legal structures to increase credit"Mani Ndongbou Bertrand Honore- Presidente CIDCI“Credit and Development: A Bridge to Inclusion”Maria Teresa Iaquinta- Director of the IPLD Programme – UNIDROIT“Capacity building and credit for development: the contribution of the IPLD Programme, the
MAECI and the Mattei Plan”
- Not an Easy Enterprise - Strengthening Entrepreneurial Ecosystems in Sub-Saharan AfricaCare of Fondazione AURORA15:00 - 16:00 | Hall 1
Moderator:Gianfranco Belgrano - Journalist Africa and BusinessIntroduction to the publication “An enterprise not easy: Strengthening Entrepreneurial Ecosystems in Sub-Saharan Africa”Michele Carpinelli - President di Fondazione AuroraMarta Sachy - Director of Aurora FoundationAuthors' interventions:Carlo Batori - Deputy Director General, Directorate for Development Cooperation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International CooperationGrazia Sgarra - Head of Office VII, Italian Agency for Development CooperationGiulia Picano - Senior Business Partnerships Specialist, Cassa Depositi e PrestitiCleophas Adrien Dioma - President Italia Africa Business WeekMargherita Busana e Samir de Sousa - Progetto InovAção Circular (Mozambico)Michel Komlan Seto - Expert in public and social innovation at Enabel - Belgian Development Agency and member of the editorial board of “An enterprise not easy: Strengthening Entrepreneurial Ecosystems in Sub-Saharan Africa”
Debt of African Countries. RELEASE, a winning proposal for sustainable developmentCare of LINK 200710:00 - 11:30 | Hall 2
The external debt of African countries is one of the main challenges hindering development,
aggravating the continent's economic and social fragilities. The 2025 Jubilee represents a unique
opportunity to address this issue and to promote the Sustainable Development Goals in the most
vulnerable countries. The seminar will explore solutions to reduce and reshape debt, fostering
long-term sustainable investments and creating opportunities for growth, jobs and infrastructure
development.The Mattei Plan for Africa represents an important opportunity to strengthen economic relations
between Italy and Africa, stimulating private investments and development projects, but only if
countries are not suffocated by the burden of public debt. Reducing debt will free up resources for
these investments, thus contributing to economic growth and improved living conditions.RELEASE is an initiative with a strong impact both at the international political level, as a key step in the implementation of the “Financing for Development” commitments, and in the programming and operationalisation of international cooperation, for a debt restructuring that is fair, regular, timely and efficient and enables countries to invest in the OSS.
Moderator: Roberto Ridolfi - LINK 2007RELEASE ZAMBIA: the case of Zambia will be presented by Roberto Ridolfi, LINK 2007Speaker:Leonardo Becchetti - Professor of Political Economy at the University of Rome Tor Vergata (online)Padre Giulio Albanese - Director of the Office for Social Communications and the Missionary Office of the Vicariate of Rome*Patricia Chisanga Kondolo - Ambassador of the Republic of ZambiaUgo Melchionda - International Consultant on Migration & Cooperation and Italian Correspondent for the OECD International Migration OutlookDiplomatic Representations of African countries have been invited to attend the event.Planned interventions:Sherif Dawoud - First Secretary of the Embassy of the Arab Republic of Egypt*
Digitalization and Global Opportunities in the Livestock Industry: Harnessing Innovation for GrowthCare of UNIDO and Istituto Zooprofilattico di Teramo12:00 - 13:00 | Hall 2
The livestock sector is poised for a digital transformation, with cutting-edge technologies such as IoT, AI, and machine learning reshaping global production systems. This panel will explore how digitalization can drive growth, enhance sustainability, and improve efficiency within the sector. Special attention will be given to Pakistan as a market of opportunity for digital innovation in livestock farming.
Moderated by:Dino Fortunato- Industrial Development Expert and Deputy Head, UNIDO ITPO ItalyRevolutionizing Livestock Systems through DigitalizationGabor Molnar- Industrial Development Officer, UNIDO
Broader implications of digitalization for food systems and global production chains
How digital solutions support SDGs and food security in developing economies
Luigi Possenti - Head of ICT, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise
Overview of cutting-edge digital tools (IoT, AI, blockchain) applied in animal health, traceability, and food safety.
Practical examples from Italy and the EU.
Insights on how ICT integration improves livestock monitoring and sustainability
Development Challenges in Deploying Digital SolutionsRita Ricciardi- President, Italy–East Africa Chamber of Commerce
Real-world cases of deploying digital technologies in low- and middle-income countries
Structural and infrastructural barriers
Recommendations for capacity building and policy alignment for digital adoption
Collaboration and Investment Opportunities – Focus on PakistanMuhammad Yasir Hussain Khokhar - Counsellor (Trade & Investment), Embassy of Pakistan in Italy
Overview of Pakistan’s livestock sector and the national digitalization strategy
Opportunities for Italian companies in agritech and livestock innovations
Public-private partnership models and investment incentives
Follow-up Response/Reflection: Gabor Molnar
Insights on how international collaboration can foster digital ecosystems in emerging markets like Pakistan
The role of UNIDO in facilitating technology transfer and market integration
Emergencies without barriers: challenges and solutions for the inclusion of persons with disabilities in humanitarian actionorganized by CBM Italia - in collaboration with AICS (Italian Agency for Development Cooperation)14:00 - 15:00 | Hall 2
A meeting to discuss approaches and initiatives to promote the inclusion of people with disabilities in humanitarian action, with a look at opportunities for multi-actor collaboration and perspectives for more inclusive and resilient communities.
Moderator:Alessandra Fabbretti – Foreign Journalist, Agenzia DireSpeaker:Marta Collu – Italian Agency for Development Cooperation
Humanitarian Aid and Fragility Gender CoordinatorLivia Canepa – Expert for AICS - Humanitarian Aid and Fragility Unit - Deputy Technical DirectorateDisability and Humanitarian Aid: the experience of AICSChiara Anselmo – Advocacy Director, CBM ItaliaDisability and humanitarian action: the twin-track approach as an integrated solutionDaniele Giacomini – Area Director - Emergenza & Sviluppo, Emergency“Disabilità in emergenza: l’impatto dei conflitti sulla popolazione”
Dialogue, responsibility, innovation: for a cooperation in which no one is excluded.Care of Save the Children15:00 - 16:00 | Hall 2
Save the Children wants to animate a debate on the importance of defining and then designing public-private partnerships for development with three key words at the centre: dialogue, responsibility, innovation.We are currently experiencing a particularly delicate period in international relations, conflict management, and the defence of human rights. It becomes essential to rethink our responsibilities, each in our own field, and to undertake paths to implement a model of development cooperation in which no one is excluded, nor can be left behind, in a world that has sustainability as its central pivot.To achieve this, it is crucial to adopt a participatory approach that involves institutions, civil society organisations, academia, the science and technology community, and the private sector in decision-making, encouraging the creation of intergenerational partnerships as envisaged in the 2030 Agenda and reaffirmed at the last Future Summit last September in New York.
Moderator:Elena Avenati - SDGs and Private Sector ManagerSpeaker:Stefano Lo Savio - Responsabile Unità per la finanza per lo sviluppo, l’ambiente e il digitale, DCGS – MAECIFrancesco Tramontin - Vice President Global Public Affairs, Ferrero GroupGianpiero Menza - Senior Manager, Partnerships & Innovative Finance, Alliance Bioversity International – CGIARMargherita Romanelli - Responsabile Advocacy e Policy, We World
Discover EGREG, your Digital Ally for Third Parties Financial Support (re-granting) at the ItDevConnect Exhibitors Talks”Care of ItDevConnect14:00 - 14:30 | Stand ItDevConnect C16 - Hall 2
Innovative actions of Friuli-Venezia Giulia in third countries: Libya and UkraineCare of Conferenza delle Regioni11:30 - 13:30 | Stand Conferenza delle Regioni | Hall 2
Speaker:Mounir Ghribi – Director of International Cooperation and Research Promotion OGS Institute of Oceanography and Experimental Geophysics TriesteCaterina Dollorenzo – OIM RomeGiulio Tarlao – Friuli Venezia Giulia - Autonomous RegionGiulia Khrystyna Kvartsiana - ALDA*Viktoriya Yatsyshyna - Friuli Venezia Giulia Region, Emilia-Romagna Region
Insieme per la PalestinaCare of Conferenza delle Regioni15:00 - 17:00 | Stand Conferenza delle Regioni | Padiglione 2
Speaker:Fabio Barcaioli - Assessorato all’istruzione e alla formazione, al welfare, alle politiche abitative, alle politiche giovanili, alla partecipazione, alla pace e alla cooperazione internazionale - Regione UmbriaLuca Rizzo Nervo - Delegato per le politiche per l’immigrazione e la cooperazione internazionale presso la Presidenza della Regione Emilia-RomagnaAvsi - Interventi in CisgiordaniaYousef Hamdouna - Educaid – interventi nella Striscia di GazaFelcos Umbria
12:00 - 12:15 | CALL4IDEAS | International Pitch CornerInternazionalizzazione d’impresa. Gestione del personale.Come un HUB formativo può supportare la crescita ed il consolidamento aziendale.Care of ENEF - Ente Nazionale ed Europeo per la Formazione
Pitch FIPA Tunisia15:00 - 15:30 | International Area | International Pitch Corner
Donne MISS CHEF - Camera di Commercio Somala in Italia a CODEWAY EXPOCare of Associazione Miss Chef e Cam.Com. Somala in Italia15:30 - 16:00 | International Pitch Corner
