Italy Reaffirms Commitment to Humanitarian and Development Aid for Afghanistan

Italy has reaffirmed its commitment to providing ongoing humanitarian and development assistance to Afghanistan, emphasizing that future support will remain guided by core humanitarian principles. The announcement was made during an Afghanistan Coordination Group meeting in Istanbul, co-hosted by the European Union, the United Nations, and the World Bank.

During the session, Italian Ambassador Sabrina Ugolini outlined the key priorities in Italy’s updated foreign affairs agenda for the country. She identified women’s empowerment, education, migrant affairs, public health, and mine clearance as central focus areas. Ugolini also highlighted the importance of preserving Afghanistan’s cultural heritage, noting that such initiatives serve as a key driver for job creation and broader economic growth.

Dr. Francesco Zatta, who heads the Islamabad office of the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation, attended the meeting and stressed the continuation of Italy’s targeted development programs. He reiterated that assistance will continue to address the basic needs and livelihoods of the Afghan population.

The coordination meeting brought together international stakeholders to align efforts and discuss sustainable support mechanisms for Afghanistan. Italian officials maintained that development and humanitarian aid will proceed in parallel, with a focus on long-term stability and community resilience. The delegation underscored that Italy’s engagement remains consistent with its broader diplomatic objectives in the region, prioritizing sectors that directly impact civilian welfare and institutional capacity.