The Italian government has announced that it will provide a total of 8.5 million euros, equivalent to around 581.5 million meticais, to promote agricultural trade, food security and mitigate the impact of climate change in Mozambique and Zimbabwe.
These funds will be managed by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and the projects aim to help the two countries achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), towards the 2030 agenda.
The news was announced during a meeting between the FAO’s sub-regional coordinator for Southern Africa, Patrice Talla, and Italy’s ambassador to Zimbabwe, Umberto Malnati. During the meeting, they discussed the FAO’s willingness to implement the initiatives in the countries highlighted, as well as to develop future programs with the support of the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation.
The Italian ambassador expressed great interest in exploring opportunities to deepen private sector facilitation for agricultural development and investment. He considered agriculture to be the cornerstone for achieving the SDGs outlined in the UN’s 2030 agenda, highlighting the vital intersection between environmental stewardship, economic growth and social equity necessary for sustainable global progress.
Patrice Talla, from the FAO, said that the organization believes that the programs will contribute to the development of both countries, helping to eliminate hunger and promote sustainable techniques in the face of climate change. “The FAO is working closely with the relevant ministries and stakeholders in both countries to ensure the implementation of these initiatives, where we hope to achieve positive results,” he said.
This initiative represents an important step towards boosting development and sustainability in Mozambique and Zimbabwe, demonstrating the international community’s commitment to supporting these countries on their journeys to progress and prosperity.
