Italy promotes sustainable coffee and cocoa supply chains

At the Rimini Meeting, Italian Deputy Foreign Minister Edmondo Cirielli highlighted Italy's commitment to fostering sustainable and inclusive supply chains for coffee and cocoa. The initiative aims to enhance local expertise and development in partner countries through Italian cooperation programs.

One session focused on building a more resilient coffee supply chain, involving representatives from Ethiopia, Tanzania, and Kenya, alongside experts from UNIDO and E4Impact. Discussions emphasized the importance of training and opportunities for younger generations in the sector.

A second panel introduced ‘Cacao Connect,’ an initiative promoted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI). This platform seeks to integrate diplomacy, development cooperation, industrial expertise, and research to collaborate with producing nations. The program will initially target Ivory Coast, Ghana, Guinea, Cameroon, Nigeria, Uganda, and the Republic of the Congo, with interventions tailored to the specific needs of each production system. Participants included ambassadors from Ghana and Ivory Coast, as well as representatives from Ferrero, ICAM, Save the Children Italia, and Cassa Depositi e Prestiti.