Rimini, 25 August 2024 – The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) made a significant impact at the Rimini Meeting 2024, participating in the Italian Cooperation Pavilion, hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI). The Pavilion, titled “C’è un’Italia che Coopera” (there is an Italy that cooperates), served as a dynamic platform to showcase innovative and collaborative initiatives promoting sustainability, with a particular focus on Africa.

Central to UNIDO's engagement was the theme of coffee - a vital commodity for many developing nations, particularly across Africa. In partnership with prominent Italian coffee brands including  illy, Lavazza, and Caffè Borbone, and with the support from the Italian Cooperation, UNIDO provided the many visitors to the stand an in-depth journey through the sustainable coffee supply chain in Africa. Several workshops emphasized the economic and social significance of coffee production in African countries, underscoring the importance of sustainability at every stage of the value chain.

In line with the pavilion’s theme, UNIDO and the Italian Cooperation launched an ambitious programme designed to strengthen the coffee value chain across African countries. This initiative, carried out in partnership with the International Coffee Organization (ICO), the Inter-African Coffee Organization (IACO), and the coffee private sector, aims to improve production techniques, elevate the value of African coffee on the global market, and provide support to vulnerable communities. The high-level panel titled "Increasing the Value and Resilience of Coffee in Africa," moderated by Gerardo Patacconi, Chief of Operations at ICO, featured prominent figures including Edmondo Cirielli, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, , Andrea Illy, President of illycaffè, and Fred Bwino Kyakulaga, Uganda’s State Minister for Agriculture. The panel highlighted the longstanding collaboration between UNIDO and the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the success of UNIDO’s public-private partnership approach, and the solid foundation laid to enhance Africa's coffee supply chain.

The event culminated in the signing of a Joint Declaration between UNIDO  and the Inter-African Coffee Organization, represented by Managing Director Gunther Beger and Secretary General Amb. Solomon Rutega, respectively. The declaration establishes a framework for collaboration aimed at achieving key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by leveraging UNIDO’s expertise in public-private partnerships. It seeks to forge alliances that drive socio-economic growth and enhance climate resilience in Africa's coffee-producing regions. The agreement paves the way for projects focused on improving coffee production, promoting sustainable practices, and boosting economic benefits across the continent.

The UNIDO booth also featured a diverse portfolio of projects developed with the  support of MAECI, including several initiatives from ITPO Italy. Throughout the six-day event, the MAECI pavilion hosted a series of thematic workshops and high-level discussions dedicated to the strategic importance of coffee in the development of producing countries.

The Rimini Meeting 2024 was hailed as a resounding success, with the MAECI pavilion attracting significant participation from both the general public and high-level attendees. The event's inclusive atmosphere allowed for meaningful exchanges, bringing together key stakeholders and fostering dialogue on critical global issues.

Notable attendees to the UNIDO stand included Antonio Tajani, Deputy Prime Minister of Italy and Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Edmondo Cirielli, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Stefano Gatti, Italian General Director of Development Cooperation. Marco Riccardo Rusconi, Director of the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation, and Debora Lepre, Ambassador at the Permanent Mission of Italy to the International Organizations in Vienna, also attended, reflecting Italy’s strong commitment to international development. Robinah Nabbanja, Prime Minister of Uganda, contributed a key perspective from one of Africa’s major  coffee-producing nations, emphasizing the global importance of the discussions and the transformative potential of the collaboration between UNIDO and Italy.

For more information, please contact:

Esther Salguero Gómez

Communications Officer,

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