In a historical phase such as the present one, characterised by global phenomena, mass migrations, radicalisation of ethnic and religious conflicts and consequent conflict situations and, as a result of armed aggression, such as that of Russia in Ukraine, increasingly dramatic humanitarian emergencies, Italy and Europe must curb these phenomena, identifying international cooperation as one of the main tools and, in particular, decooperation with developing countries.

International cooperation initiatives are an inalienable element of Italy's foreign policy, which must once again become a responsible protagonist on international tables together with other more developed countries, as identified by Law no. 125/2014, which identifies international cooperation as "an integral and qualifying part of Italy's foreign policy, taking into account national interests and their strenuous, inalienable defence".

Crucially, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, an action programme for people, planet and prosperity signed in September 2015 by the governments of the 193 UN member countries, is positively influencing areas of development.

The 2030 Agenda has fundamentally changed the nature of international cooperation initiatives, deeply revising their purely solidarity-based nature, which was essentially based on financial aid, to convert it into a new vision of shared responsibility and programmed commitments for      every country in the world.

PRIORITY THEMES TO BE DEVELOPED:

          -end poverty in all its forms;

-providing           quality, inclusive and equal education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all;

-ensuring   the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all;

-realising   gender equality and improving the living conditions of women.

CO-DEVELOPMENT IS THE KEY

It is necessary to develop correct and effective international cooperation policies, involving as many institutional and private stakeholders as possible, including individual citizens, in order to contain and stem migratory phenomena, especially economic ones, by promoting the development of local economies, which is essential to guarantee dignity, freedom and security to those who would otherwise migrate.

It is unthinkable that in so many areas of the world, effective conflict prevention and resolution action relying exclusively on the tools of political dialogue and diplomacy will suffice in the absence of financial and, above all, operational instruments through which to support construction or reconstruction, the functioning of basic services, economic recovery, as well as stability and institutional balances.

The social, cultural, economic and institutional growth of more fragile countries, albeit at a time of pandemic, economic crisis and war, remain objectives that must be pursued, in the knowledge that they are responding not only to an ethical and moral duty, but also to the due attention to critical situations, potential sources of destabilisation of international balances and threats to international security.

The Municipality of Pisa has shown particular attention and sensitivity to the theme of international cooperation and, since 2018, on my proposal, as Deputy Mayor, has joined the following projects:

Year 2018

-         Project "A drop of milk" Aleppo - Syria - Resolution 254 of 20.12.18 - A.C.S. Foundation "Aid to the Church in Need" - € 26,500

-         Happy Children and Adolescents Project (PCAF) - Corumbà - Resolution 255 of 20.12.18 - Brazil - Missionary Fathers of Don Bosco City at the Association LA CITTA DEI BAMBINI of Father Ernesto Saksida ONLUS - € 14,000

Year 2019

-         Renewal of the project "A drop of milk" Aleppo - Syria - Resolution 221 of 12.12.19 - A.C.S. Foundation "Aid to the Church in Need" - € 5,000

-         Renewal of the "Happy children and adolescents" project (PCAF) - Corumbà - Resolution 220 of 12.12.19 - Brazil - Missionary Fathers of Don Bosco City at the Association LA CITTA DEI BAMBINI of Father Ernesto Saksida ONLUS - euro 5,000

-         Project "Immediate response to the emergency in north-eastern Syria" in the framework of the UNDP - United Nations Development Programme - Resolution 222 of 12.12.2019 - euro 25,000

-         Mission to Tunisia: Euromed - Conference on the Prevention of Radicalisation of Young People. Conflict mediation and youth policy development

-         Tunisia: Best practices in waste management, local development and decentralised services for sustainability, circular economy

Year 2020

-         Project "Hands that help - Corumbà - Brazil" - Resolution 246 of 11.12.20 - Missionary Fathers of Don Bosco City at the Association LA CITTA DEI BAMBINI di Padre Ernesto Saksida ONLUS - euro 10,000

-         Multipurpose Centre in Rundu - Namibia" project - Resolution 215 of 27.11.20 - Associazione Ketuko Italia Onlus - € 10,000

-         Project "Human resources and skill acquisition centre for trauma counselling in the catholic diocese of maiduguri", Nigeria - Resolution 216 of 27.11.20 - Fondazione A.C.S "Aiuto alla Chiesa che soffre" - euro 20,000

Year 2021

-                Project " Project to build a college for the benefit of displaced students from Bogande " - Burkina Fasu -Deliberation 314 of 10.12.21 - Fondazione A.C.S "Aiuto alla Chiesa che soffre" - euro 15.000

-         PCAF projects - Education is a serious matter" "Young apprentice" - Corumbà - Brazil - Missionary Fathers of Don Bosco City at the Association LA CITTA DEI BAMBINI of Father Ernesto Saksida ONLUS - euro 5.000

-         Project "Citadel of Mercy" Rundu - Namibia - Resolution 313 of 10.12.21 - to Associazione Ketuko Italia Onlus - € 5,000

-         Medical equipment for the Bossémptléle hospital - Central African Republic - Resolution 311 of 10.12.21 - Association "Noi per l'Africa e il Mondo - Onlus" - € 5,000

It was also a great joy and satisfaction to welcome in our city an Afghan family fleeing the war, for which we made available a building owned by the municipality in agreement with the Italian Red Cross and the Prefecture.

Last but not least, I would like to recall the participation of the Municipality of Pisa in the Florence Mediterranean Mayor's Forum and the signing of the Florence Charter for peace and development in the countries bordering the Mediterranean, historically a crossroads of European, Asian, northern and southern cultures.

Praying for Peace, I thank you for your attention and wish you all good work and a peaceful stay in our city.