On Thursday, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said developed nations should focus on treating Africa as a strategic partner in their relations.

Ms Meloni stated that Africa and the dangers posed by artificial intelligence would be the major issues at the G7 meeting.

Italy took over the rotating presidency of the Group of Seven (G7), which includes the United States, Canada, Japan, Germany, France, Britain and Italy, at the start of January.

It will host numerous ministerial meetings throughout the year, including a leaders’ summit in June.

However, Ms Meloni said she wanted to hold a special session before June focused on AI.

“I am hugely concerned about the impact of AI on the labour market. Today, we are faced with a revolution where (human) intellect is in danger of being replaced,” she told a news conference to mark the end of the year.

She told reporters that supporting African development would also be a central theme of her G7.

Ms Meloni stated that boosting local economies and living standards was vital to dissuade would-be migrants from heading to Europe.

“What I think needs to be done in Africa is not charity. What needs to be done in Africa is to build cooperation and serious strategic relationships as equals, not predators.

“What needs to be done in Africa is to defend the right not to have to emigrate, and this is done with investments and a strategy,” she said.

Among other issues likely to dominate Italy’s presidency are the ongoing war in Ukraine and the conflict in Gaza between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas.

(Reuters/NAN)