Giorgia Meloni and the Pope at the G7 discussed artificial intelligence, Mediterranean crises and cooperation with Africa.
The first participation of a Pontiff in the G7 marks a historic moment in the discussion on global challenges and the importance of international dialogue and cooperation.
The opening of the G7 session dedicated to “Artificial Intelligence, Energy, Africa/Mediterranean”, Friday 14 June 2024, saw a significant speech by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. The session, which took place in Puglia, had the historic participation of Pope Francis, marking the first time that a Pontiff took part in a G7 summit.
A symbolic place
Meloni underlined the importance of the place chosen for the meeting, highlighting how Puglia represents a bridge between West and East. He said: “We didn’t choose this place by chance. We chose it because Puglia is a region of Southern Italy, and because it is a land that has historically represented a bridge between West and East, a place of dialogue in the ‘middle sea’ which, through North Africa and the Middle East, connects the two great maritime spaces of the globe: the Atlantic on one side and the Indo-Pacific on the other.”
Reject division
In his speech, Meloni expressly rejected the narrative that pits the West against the rest of the world. He stated: “We will never accept the narrative that ‘the West against the rest’. We know that we can only address the global challenges we face if we are able to cooperate with respect and on an equal-to-equal basis.”
Urgent challenges
The Prime Minister identified the main global challenges to be faced, with a particular focus on artificial intelligence. “We decided to dedicate the outreach session, among the many global challenges that we are called to face in this era, to those that we consider very urgent: artificial intelligence first of all, with the opportunities it opens up and the risks it hides; the Mediterranean, a crisis area and a place of confrontation; the African continent, with which we work to build a completely new cooperation between equals; and obviously, the need to deal, without ideological approaches, with climate changes which impact above all on the nations of the global south.”
Prestigious keynote speaker: Pope Francis and the President of Mauritania, Mohamed Ould Ghazouani
Meloni introduced the two keynote speakers of the session: Pope Francis and the President of Mauritania, Mohamed Ould Ghazouani. He expressed his appreciation for the Pontiff’s participation: “His Holiness Pope Francis, who gave us the great honor of participating in our work session and who will share with us his point of view on the topic of artificial intelligence. It is the first time that a Pontiff takes part in the work of the Group of Seven, and this inevitably makes today’s appointment a historic moment.”
Concluding his speech, Meloni thanked Pope Francis and gave the floor to the Pontiff, once again expressing his gratitude: “Thank you again, Your Holiness. The word is yours.”
Giorgia Meloni’s speech highlighted the importance of global cooperation and respectful dialogue, especially in addressing the challenges posed by artificial intelligence, the Mediterranean crises and the need for new cooperation with the African continent.
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