"This session is dedicated to 'security and energy transition' but we could have called it 'future and development'. Access to energy is in fact an objective of the UN Agenda 2030 but is also part of the inclusive growth envisaged by Aspiration n.1 of the African Union's Agenda 2063. This is why I think that today we must discuss energy security and transition together with the topic of growth".
Thus the Minister of the Environment and Energy Security, Gilberto Pichetto, in his speech at the Italy-Africa summit, noting that "today in this chamber we are strengthening a bridge that must go in both directions and push growth and security on both sides, through equal partnerships".
"The development of energy sources, technologies and infrastructures constitutes a precondition both for the prosperity of Africa and for the growth and security of Italy and Europe. - observed the minister - We intend to invest resources and skills to strengthen African energy potential and accompany the development of interconnections between the two shores of the Mediterranean with projects for the on-site production of energy, to be allocated to local communities and then to the demand coming from the north. This will create opportunities for development and employment in Africa".
Pichetto explained that "we are talking about an energy that will be increasingly cleaner and safer, because decarbonisation and energy security converge if pursued with a non-ideological and sustainable approach, in a continent where 43% of the inhabitants do not have access to electricity. For the African Bank Development Climate change could reduce the GDP of Sub-Saharan Africa by up to 3% by 2050 - Pichetto recalled - The energy-climate-development nexus is therefore crucial. And Italy is doing its part in this: President Meloni has already announced that all 'More than 70% of the Italian Climate Fund will be allocated to Africa (3 billion euros); and with the 100 million euros announced at COP28, Italy is also the first donor to the 'Losses and Damages' Fund. And I am really satisfied that , for the first time, on the initiative of the Italian Presidency, this year Africa will be one of the sectoral priorities of the G7 Energy and Climate Working Group".
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