The Ambassador of Italy to Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi Speech from H.E. Ambassador Domenico Fornara on the occasion of the Italian National Day (Festa della Repubblica) Kampala, June 2 nd 2016 Hon. Minister Kutesa, Hon. Ministers, members of parliament, Ambassadors, colleagues, ladies and gentlemen, cari italiani, all protocol observed, it is a true honor to celebrate with you the Festa della Repubblica. My wife Anna and I are delighted to host you at the Italian Residence. Italians have played a major role in history over the past three millennia. Nevertheless, our Republic is still young: only 70 years old. On June 2 nd 1946, in the aftermath of World War II, a referendum was called to choose the form of our State: Monarchy (as it had been since our unification) or Republic. Italians chose the latter. Today we also celebrate 70 years of universal suffrage in Italy. Until 1946, 50% of our population (namely women) were kept out of political decisions. Ever since that date, women have made an extraordinary contribution to our democracy. Hon Minister, The referendum in 1946 paved the way for pivotal changes in my country. A new Constitution was adopted in 1948. Its text enshrines the most advanced democratic principles and a political system with checks and balances ; it fully 1
endorses human and civil rights; it repudiates war as a way to solve international disputes. The years that followed were characterized by crucial decisions and achievements: Italy witnessed an outstanding economic growth which fostered industrialization and allowed our country to access the G7 group. In the same period our Government laid the cornerstones of its foreign policy: Italy was a founding member of NATO and of the European Union; we became staunch supporters of multilateralism and actively contributed to the development of the United Nations; we increased our commitment to humanitarian and development policies. Hon Minister, The world has changed much since 1946, but the inspiration underlying our foreign policy has proved very long-sighted and our commitment to it is ever increasing. Italy firmly believes in the unique value of EU integration. We advocate a strong and coherent common EU foreign policy, with special attention to growth, security and promotion of social and human rights: the so called Migration Compact that we have recently proposed to our EU partners is a highly significant example. Italy is one of the major contributors to the UN system - the first western troop contributor to UN Peacekeeping operations - and plays an active role within UN reform processes, in particular within the Uniting for Consensus group. Italy has strongly supported the UN 2030 agenda: I seize this opportunity, Hon. Minister, to commend you once again for the role you have played as President of the UNGA. 2
Our commitment to development and humanitarian aid is tireless: bilaterally, through EU engagement and in the framework of UN initiatives. Italy considers itself a bridge between Europe and Africa and is increasingly engaged in this continent of extraordinary potential. Our highest Authorities (including our President of the Republic and Prime Minister) have paid numerous, and in some cases unprecedented, official visits to African countries in the last two years. And others are yet to come. On May 18 last, Minister of Foreign Affairs Paolo Gentiloni hosted a Ministerial Conference at which all African countries were represented, including over 35 Foreign Affairs Ministers, most African Permanent Representatives to the UN in NY, and top officials from EU, UN and AU. The primary goal of the Conference was to lay the foundations for a strategic, sustainable and equal partnership with the African continent. Discussions touched upon: Economic Development; Social and Environmental Sustainability, Sustainability of Migration, Peace and Security. The event proved to be an excellent framework for a structured high-level dialogue with our African partners and will be therefore convened on a biannual basis. Meanwhile, in order to grant continuity to our action, we look forward to: organizing a robust outreach activity with African countries during our G7 presidency in 2017; granting Africa core attention from the UNSC in the coming biennium (if, of course as I strongly hope we are elected to a non permanent seat); and ensuring role and visibility to EU-Africa relations in the framework of next year s 60 th anniversary of the Rome Treaties. As Prime Minister Renzi said addressing the Conference: Africa is world s biggest hope, it will be Europe s loss if it doesn t focus on it: we are trying to reorient Europe to Africa. Hon. Minister, 3
Our African policy progresses coherently with the reform of our development cooperation. Earlier this year a new Agency (AICS Agenzia Italiana per la Cooperazione allo Sviluppo) was created. The Agency will operate under the political directives of the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Its guidelines fully endorse the 2030 agenda s principles, with particular reference to the need to merge roles and competences of public stakeholders, civil society and private sector, thus enhancing long term sustainability and local ownership of aid projects. Along with the reform of our development aid tools, we have tangibly increased our financial commitment. Compared to 2015 our development and humanitarian budget this year has increased by 120 Mln. For the coming biennium we envisage even higher increases: plus 240 Mln in 2017 and plus 360 Mln in 2018. The majority of these resources will be dedicated to Africa. Hon. Minister, I don t need to remind you of the role that Italy has traditionally played in Uganda, through the commitments made by our Government, Italian NGOs, religious representatives and the private sector. Our past is solid and I take the friendship and good relations between Italy and The Pearl of Africa for granted. Uganda has come a long way. The country is stable, growing at a considerable pace and is now a pillar of regional stability and security. Let me once again commend your crucial contribution also in terms of loss of Ugandan lives to AMISOM. I also would like to reiterate our strong appreciation and admiration for your humanitarian generosity in being one of the best refugee receiving countries. Uganda, in its struggle to modernize, also faces challenges, including some related to democratic governance. 4
The last elections were vibrant. We highly appreciated the decision of the Government of Ugandan to invite an EU-Electoral Observation Mission. The EOM has presented recommendations for consideration on how to improve future electoral processes. Most recommendations highlighted by the EU-EOM were also taken up by Uganda Supreme Court in its ruling. Italy both bilaterally and within the framework of EU action will remain constructively engaged with your Government and other relevant stakeholders in Uganda in working together on the whole spectrum of fruitful relations, including a Ugandan driven reform process. Now Hon. Minister, allow me a few words in Italian for my community. Cari connazionali, cari amici, ad un anno dal mio arrivo a Kampala non posso fare altro che ringraziarvi per l accoglienza che avete riservato a me ed alla mia famiglia. In questi dodici mesi ho imparato molto dalle vostre esperienze. Il rapporto che si e istaurato con voi - con molti anche in maniera diretta - mi convince sempre piu del valore aggiunto di fare squadra. Come anche dimostrato dai molti stand e partecipazioni oggi, la politica estera italiana non e solo quella del Governo centrale, bensi frutto di una azione sinergica e complementare del Governo insieme a tutte le altre importanti anime della nostra societa : Autorita locali, societa civile e settore privato. In questo quadro vi incoraggio a continuare ad alimentare un costruttivo scambio con l Ambasciata, non solo con riferiento ai servizi che vi sono dovuti e che spero vi siano erogati in maniera esauriente, ma anche su ogni altra possibile iniziativa congiunta che possa essere promossa per intensificare gli scambi tra l Italia e l Uganda. 5
Con questo spirito auguro a voi tutti un eccellente Festa Nazionale. Viva l Italia! As you can see, Hon. Minister, we have here today a broad representation of Italian excellences. This is an Italian day : not only Government driven but with the participation of all relevant Italian stakeholders present in Uganda. We have representatives of the business community, in particular the Business Club Italia (our bilateral exchanges are growing steadily: +18% in 2014 and +23% in 2015!), and of the Italian NGOs. I invite all of you to visit their stands to learn more on the extraordinary work they re doing. I also would like to thank our sponsors, in particular: SOBETRA, ICAM Chocolate Uganda Ltd; Liliana's Italian Kitchen Ltd., Mr. Gennaro Sirgiovanni, Itallalluminum, AREG Agrofood, Claudio SVI and Emanuela Mantegazza Photography. Last but not least, Hon. Minister, allow me to propose a toast to the good health and prosperity of the people and Government of Uganda, and the President of the Republic of Uganda, H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. 6