ROME – The extraordinary G20 on Afghanistan will be there, he announces Mario Draghi. The premier intervenes by videoconference, on the Italian night, in front of the UN General Assembly meeting in New York. He asks to face the crisis – a “social and civil catastrophe” – by rediscovering a multilateral approach to prevent the country from “becoming a threat to international security” again. And the Taliban regime rejects: “The composition of the new executive does not respond to the expectations of the international community for an inclusive and representative government”.
Yes to the extraordinary G20 on Afghanistan, women and rights at the center
by our correspondent Anna Lombardi
An important part of the speech is dedicated to the events in Kabul. “We are witnessing the dismantling of the progress of the last 20 years in the defense of fundamental freedoms – denounces Draghi – especially for women”. And it is precisely for women, who are the object of the Taliban repression, that access to education must be guaranteed. It is the new rulers who must “demonstrate with their choices, and not just in words, that they believe in respect for individual freedoms”. More generally, the obligatory reflection on international missions must not mean a rejection of this instrument, on which Europe “must progressively consolidate its role”.
The other big chapter is that of the fight against climate change. Italy will chair Cop26 in Glasgow with the United Kingdom. The premier insists on the need to reduce emissions by 55% by 2030. “Extreme weather events are bound to intensify. We must act now”. And he also speaks to the polluting giants, China and India: “We need a multilateral commitment and the pragmatic cooperation of rich and emerging economies”.
The pandemic and the fight against poverty are not left out. For Draghi, the “dramatic difference” in vaccination between the West and the rest of the world is “morally unacceptable”. Not only because the number of victims is increasing, but because “the virus can mutate in a dangerous way”. Finally, the economic effects of Covid for low-income states. The former central banker assumes a “debt restructuring” and reiterates the goal of “zero hunger” in 2030. The last step is on Libya. Italy wants to stabilize its institutions and asks Europe for a “joint responsibility in the management of migratory flows”.
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