Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced at the African Union Summit in Addis Ababa that Italy will allow African countries to suspend debt repayments during extreme climate events. This initiative forms part of a broader program to convert African debt into investments. The summit also addressed peace, security, and UN reforms.
At the 39th African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni outlined Italy's new approach to supporting African nations amid their debt challenges. She stated that Rome will provide African countries the option to suspend repayments when struck by extreme climate events. This measure is integrated into a comprehensive program aimed at converting the debt of African nations, particularly transforming the debt of the most fragile and vulnerable countries into investments.
Meloni emphasized that recent discussions between Italy and its African partners have centered on the continent's heavy debt burden. The announcement aligns with Italy's 'Mattei Plan,' unveiled by its government last month, which seeks to foster economic growth in Africa to reduce irregular migration to Europe.
The summit, serving as the continent's premier decision-making forum, brought together African heads of state to establish political priorities for the year. Key focuses included peace and security, with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres calling for permanent African representation on the UN Security Council. 'The absence of permanent African seats in the Security Council is indefensible. This is 2026, not 1946. Whatever decisions about Africa and the world are on the table, Africa must be at the table,' Guterres said.
He also urged immediate steps to avert renewed conflict in South Sudan and to achieve a ceasefire in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Leaders further discussed ensuring sustainable water availability and safe sanitation, while addressing conflicts, climate pressures, and development goals under Agenda 2063.
