President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has arrived in Rome, Italy, to participate in the World Food Forum which is expected to take place today, October 14-18, 2024. According to an Executive Mansion release dated October 12, 2024, the event, organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), will bring together global leaders and stakeholders to discuss critical issues concerning global food security, sustainable agriculture and rural development.
While in Italy, President Boakai will address the forum with focus on Liberia’s contributions to global food security, highlighting the nation’s strategies for addressing food-related challenges. Boakai’s speech will also emphasize the importance of international cooperation in overcoming hunger and ensuring sustainable agricultural development.
The President’s visit will include a luncheon with the Director General of the FAO, meetings with key international figures such as the President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the Executive Director of the World Food Programme (WFP), as well as an audience with Pope Francis at the Vatican. President Boakai will also engage with Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and other top Italian officials to discuss strategic partnerships and opportunities for collaboration.
Italy recently launched the “Piano Mattei” investment plan for Africa, which focuses on infrastructure, agricultural development, and sustainable energy solutions, offering a promising avenue for Liberia’s growth.
The President’s meetings will further involve discussions on industrial development, critical minerals, and hybrid energy systems with Italian enterprises. These talks are expected to enhance Liberia’s industrial capabilities and strengthen ties in agriculture, energy, and technological innovation.