New guidelines to achieve by 2030 widespread access to modern energy sources - a crucial driving force in sustainable development and the fight against poverty - will be unveiled on Thursday in Rome.
'Energy Access Outlook: from Poverty to Prosperity', a special report by the International Energy Agency, will be presented at the foreign ministry by IEA director Fatih Birol after an introduction by junior foreign minister Mario Giro, the ministry said.
The role played by energy policies in development, prosperity and human welfare will be the focus of a subsequent panel discussion between African government and regional association representatives and Italian energy experts.
The high-level panel discussion will be moderated by the foreign ministry's director general for globalisation, Massimo Gaiani, the ministry said.