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Ruto flies to Rome for Italy-Africa summit

Italy's President Sergio Mattarella with his Kenyan counterpart President William Ruto at State House, Nairobi on March 14, 2023. (Photo: PCS)

By Dennis Tarus | Sunday, January 28, 2024

Ruto will deliver an address on energy security at the summit as the Chair of the Committee of African Heads of State and Government on Climate Change.

President William Ruto has left the country for an official visit to Rome, Italy to participate in the Italy-Africa summit.

President Ruto will join 20 other African Heads of State and Government for the two-day conference aimed at strengthening ties and collaboration between Africa and Italy.

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Ruto will also deliver an address on energy security at the summit as the Chair of the Committee of African Heads of State and Government on Climate Change.

The summit will cover areas of cooperation, including food security, culture, education, vocational training, energy security, economic and infrastructure development, as well as joint efforts against human trafficking and terrorism.

"President Ruto is scheduled to engage in bilateral discussions with Italian President Sergio Mattarella to fortify the countries' collaboration," State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed said in a statement on Sunday.

Review of agreements

The two leaders are expected to review agreements established during President Mattarella's state visit to Kenya last year and subsequent meetings with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

Projects formed through the collaboration between Italy and Kenya will also be expedited during Ruto's visit including programmes in environmental conservation, climate change resilience, water, education, health, energy and culture.

President Ruto's agenda itinerary will also see bilateral engagements with European Union leaders, World Bank, and IMF officials as well as with African leaders involved in peace processes in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan and South Sudan.