From March 18 to 21, 2019, a Monegasque delegation led by Gilles Tonelli, Government Counselor-Minister of External Relations and Cooperation, went on a Working Visit to Niger to meet with the Nigerien authorities and meet the partners of the Monegasque Cooperation. This visit made it possible to sign the 1st Framework Agreement for Cooperation between Monaco and Niger.
During this four-day visit, the Monegasque delegation was received by the Nigerien Head of State, Mahamadou Issoufou, as well as Mr. Kalla Ankourao, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation, African Integration and Nigerians outside and by many regional authorities.
In addition to strengthening ties with the country’s authorities, this visit was an opportunity for the Prince’s Government to take stock of its privileged partnership with this French-speaking Sahelian country among the least developed. Niger, faces tremendous challenges, in particular, security and food. The collaboration with Niger is increasing significantly for the period 2018-2020.
Project visits provided an opportunity to discuss different actions in the areas of food security, malnutrition and health, including the Institut Pasteur, Fondation Mérieux, the Ministry of Health, and NGOs local and international.
The Monegasque delegation has also signed an important partnership with the National Device for Prevention and Management of Food Crises. As part of the 3N Initiative (Nigeriens Nourrissent Nigeriens), which is doing everything possible to improve the country’s food self-sufficiency, it has participated in two inaugurations with a strong symbolic significance:
- The laying of the foundation stone for the Fortification of Processed Food Products project with the United Nations World Food Program
- The inauguration of the milk collection centre carried out by the IRAM (Institute for Research and Application of Development Methods).
Finally, the signing of the 1st Framework Agreement for Cooperation between Monaco and Niger, on Thursday, March 21st, by Gilles Tonelli and Kalla Ankourao, was the culmination of this working visit.
Gilles Tonelli said on this occasion: “The access of vulnerable populations to the fundamental rights of food, health and education is the essence of Monaco’s cooperation. For more than 10 years, the Principality of Monaco accompanies the Nigerien authorities to respond to the complex challenges – especially climatic and social – that the country faces. Let us unite our efforts for the human development of the Nigerien population! “
For the record, bilateral cooperation between the two States was initiated in 2008 with the signing of a Framework Agreement in the field of Health.