Italy proposes debt suspension for climate-hit states

Anabelle Colaco
16 Feb 2026, 15:27 GMT+10

Italy has proposed allowing African countries to suspend debt repayments when struck by extreme climate events, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said after talks with African leaders
Meloni did not provide details on how the suspension mechanism would operate or which countries might participate
The proposal was discussed as part of Italy’s broader engagement with the continent. Meloni also attended the plenary session of the 39th ordinary meeting of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union in Addis Ababa

MILAN, Italy: Italy has proposed allowing African countries to suspend debt repayments when struck by extreme climate events, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said after talks with African leaders.

"Today, once again, we focused on an issue that is central for Africa, which is debt," Meloni said late on February 13 at the close of the second Italy–Africa meeting in Addis Ababa.

"We have launched a broad initiative on debt conversion for joint development projects. To this, we are adding the introduction of debt-suspension clauses for those nations affected by extreme climate events," she added.

Meloni did not provide details on how the suspension mechanism would operate or which countries might participate.

The proposal was discussed as part of Italy's broader engagement with the continent. Meloni also attended the plenary session of the 39th ordinary meeting of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union in Addis Ababa.

Italy has made cooperation with African nations a key pillar of its foreign policy, including through its "Mattei Plan," which Rome says is designed to foster long-term partnerships in areas such as energy, agriculture, and infrastructure.

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