Africa - Challenges and Opportunities

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Africa

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Least_developed_countries

https://www.ispionline.it/en/publication/end-of-a-cycle-south-africas-g20-presidency-and-the-future-of-global-cooperation-215454

https://blogs.worldbank.org/en/africacan/five-insights-for-building-africas-inclusive-prosperity

https://afripoli.org/sustainable-progress-the-afcfta-and-green-job-opportunities-in-africa

https://www.wbginstitute.org/news/connecting-skills-firms-and-jobs-africas-future

In 2026, Africa faces challenges including low GDP levels, poverty, hunger malnutrition, high debt distress, youth unemployment, and poor foundational learning outcomes, even as the continent experiences resilient economic growth projected by the World Bank to be 4.3% in Sub-Saharan Africa this year. Other significant issues include political unrest, terrorism, cybersecurity threats, and climate change impacts, alongside the need to improve the quality and accessibility of education and the need to create sufficient jobs for a young population. 

https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2026/10/06/economic-growth-in-sub-saharan-africa-gains-momentum-despite-global-uncertainty

https://www.worldometers.info/world-population/africa-population/

Economic challenges

In 2026, Africa accounts for approximately 18.8 to 19.1% of the global population, while its share of global trade is significantly lower, estimated at around 3%. This disparity highlights the large and growing population on the continent compared to its relatively small contribution to global trade. Africa is, likewise, projected by the IMF to account for only 3 to 4% of the world's nominal GDP in 2026 and 5.5% - 5.6% of global GDP based on Purchasing Power Parity (PPP).

AfCFTA: While the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) aims to boost regional integration, its full implementation is necessary to help address other key challenges like energy access, food security, and industrialization. 

Intra-Africa trade remains low in 2026, largely due to persistent challenges like weak infrastructure and the slow pace of African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) implementation, though progress is being made. Despite historical low rates (intra-African trade is around 17-18% of all Africa’s trade in 2026), the AfCFTA offers a framework for growth by aiming to unite the continent's economies. Key issues holding back trade include infrastructure deficits, geopolitical instability, and the need for more formalized cross-border transactions, even as initiatives like the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) work to accelerate progress. 

See https://www.africanews.com/2026/11/05/moonshot-2026-experts-call-for-urgent-reforms-to-unlock-intra-african-tradebusiness-africa/

https://mcbgroup.com/think/article/trade-report-2025-intra-trade

https://research.knowledge.afreximbank.com/do/10.5555/566a8e78-9fbf-49d8-81ef-89f32721ac04/full/media/african_trade_report_2026.pdf

Debt: The number of sub-Saharan African countries in or at high risk of debt distress nearly tripled from 2014 to 2025 according to the World Bank, with external debt service costs rising significantly.

Unemployment: Despite economic growth, the pace is insufficient to create enough quality jobs for a rapidly growing young workforce, contributing to high unemployment and underemployment rates. The average age in Africa is just over 19 with 60% of the population under 25.

Inflation: While double-digit inflation has fallen sharply, it remains a concern, and external factors like global trade policy uncertainty and declining investor appetite pose risks. 

Social and environmental challenges

Education: A major challenge is the low level of foundational learning, with only 10.8% of children achieving the minimum proficiency in reading and math by the end of primary school (2025-6).

https://www.unesco.org/en/africa/education

https://mohacafrica.org/state-of-education-in-africa/

Peace and Security: The continent faces ongoing security crises, including increased political unrest and terrorism, especially in the Central Sahel region.

https://www.crisisgroup.org/brf/africa/b209-seven-peace-and-security-priorities-africa-2026

Climate Change: Climate change is a major risk, particularly for the agriculture and forestry sectors.

https://www.oecd.org/content/dam/oecd/en/publications/reports/2026/07/new-data-for-africa-s-changing-climate_665fc2fc/27d083ca-en.pdf

Inequality: Income inequality remains a challenge, with wealth concentrated in the hands of a few. 

https://www.afdb.org/fr/documents/bridging-gap-inequality-and-imperative-inclusive-growth-africa

 

Cybersecurity: Cybersecurity was identified as the top risk area by businesses in 2025, with 64% of respondents listing it among their top risks.

https://www.ey.com/content/dam/ey-unified-site/ey-com/en-za/insights/risk/documents/ey-africa-cybersecurity-threat-outlook-2026.pdf

Institutional and governance challenges

Weak Institutions: Weak institutions continue to hinder development across the continent.

https://dailytimesng.com/10-african-countries-with-the-worst-governance-in-2026/

https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2026/nov/11/mo-ibrahim-africa-governance-colonialism-power-development-corruption-buck-stops

https://carnegieendowment.org/research/2026/10/governance-compared-autocracy-and-democracy-in-africa

https://credendo.com/en/knowledge-hub/main-challenges-facing-sub-saharan-africa-2026-and-beyond

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/crisis-group_in-africa-the-coming-year-could-see-yet-activity-7426882672150638594-n5T7

https://www.afsic.net/challenges-faced-by-african-countries-today/

https://www.jaynevytours.com/why-africa-is-still-poor.html?srsltid=AfmBOopMTGA__b6tuHv76fRnGWsguQiHV9ENTOkCmPi8mq_2NjA8mK69

https://acleddata.com/update/africa-overview-september-2025

https://africarelief.org/blogs/current-issues-in-africa

https://we.hse.ru/mirror/pubs/share/998626243.pdf

https://www.ispionline.it/en/research/africa

Poverty - Poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa remains one of the world's most critical development challenges, where a massive share of the population and global poor are concentrated.

In 2026, 47.8% of Sub-Saharan Africa's population lives in extreme poverty, while roughly 85% to 87% live in moderate or extreme poverty. Because rapid population growth outpaces modest per capita economic gains, the total number of people living in poverty across the region continues to rise.

• Extreme Poverty ($3.00/day line). According to the World Bank Group, 47.8% of the region's population lives below the updated $3.00 per day international poverty line (in 2021 purchasing power parity). Sub-Saharan Africa now accounts for over 70% of the world's extreme poor.
• Moderate Poverty ($8.30/day line). When measured against the higher upper-middle-income poverty line of $8.30 per day (revised upward from the older $6.85 threshold), approximately 85% to 87% of Sub-Saharan Africans fall below this standard, leaving the vast majority vulnerable to economic or climate shocks.
• Multidimensional Poverty. Beyond daily income, the 2026 Global Multidimensional Poverty Index shows that 616 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa—51.4% of the population, including 355 million children—experience acute deprivations in health, education, and basic living standards.

Key Drivers & Outlook

• Sluggish Per Capita Growth. While regional GDP growth is projected at 4.3% in 2026, per capita income growth sits at just 1.8%. This rate is too slow to absorb the rapidly expanding labor force or significantly reduce poverty headcounts.
• Vulnerability and Shocks. Ongoing conflict, climate disasters, high debt-service burdens, and declining international aid continue to strain public services and trap rural and agricultural households in persistent poverty.
• 2027–2030 Trajectory. The extreme poverty rate is projected to dip only slightly to 47.1% in 2027. Without stronger job creation and inclusive growth, the region is projected to host over 80% of the world's extreme poor by 2030

https://mohacafrica.org/poverty-rate-in-africa/

https://hdr.undp.org/content/2026-global-multidimensional-poverty-index#/indicies/MPI

some recent information sources

https://www.actionagainsthunger.org.uk/why-hunger/worlds-largest-food-crises-2026

https://www.fao.org/newsroom/detail/progress-on-hunger-continues--but-africa-and-new-crises-raise-concerns--fao-chief-economist/en

https://www.dw.com/en/un-warns-of-rising-hunger-across-africa/a-73454420

https://www.who.int/news/item/28-07-2025-global-hunger-declines-but-rises-in-africa-and-western-asia-un-report

https://www.unicef.org/esa/press-releases/13-million-children-malnourished-eastern-and-southern-africa-2025

https://www.humanium.org/en/millions-of-children-at-risk-of-missing-school-as-the-2025-academic-year-begins/

https://www.hrw.org/news/2025/06/16/africa-insufficient-domestic-funding-hinders-education-progress

https://www.unicef.org/wca/press-releases/education-under-crisis-school-closures-nearly-double-five-years-west-and-central

https://www.ecofinagency.com/news-services/2710-49873-africa-s-youth-jobless-rate-beats-europe-s-but-most-jobs-remain-precarious

https://www.africanleadershipmagazine.co.uk/africas-brain-drain-the-true-cost-of-talent-migration/?q=merck-foundation-chief-executive-officer-ceo-together-with-african-first-ladies-africa-mark-world-health-day-2025-by-providing-over-2250-scholarships-to-doctors-across-africa-and-beyond&pr=337112&lang=fr

https://accessh.org/opinions/the-future-of-healthcare-in-africa-challenges-and-opportunities/

https://news.un.org/en/story/2026/11/1168772

https://www.chathamhouse.org/2025/10/africa-after-usaid-who-will-pay-health-bill

https://thedocs.worldbank.org/en/doc/75b7a7306a5eb1adb3fc93683ffe55b9-0360012024/original/Challenges-and-0Opportunities-in-Africas-Health-Sector-090424-jp.pdf

https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/multiple-disease-outbreaks-heighten-public-health-emergencies-children-across

https://reliefweb.int/report/world/africas-inequality-crisis-and-rise-super-rich

https://www.ihrda.org/2025/09/gender-equality-and-womens-rights-in-africa-progress-challenges-and-the-way-forward/

https://www.downtoearth.org.in/africa/state-of-africas-environment-2025-climate-change-will-cast-a-long-shadow-on-food-security-in-the-continent

https://news.un.org/en/story/2025/05/1163126

https://africacenter.org/spotlight/migration-trends-2025/

https://www.esteri.it/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/EU-AFRICA_ISPI-report-2025_FINAL-WEB.pdf

https://sihma.org.za/Blog-on-the-move/african-migration-trends-q2-2025-regional-dynamics-and-global-implications?lang=en

https://www.unhcr.org/sites/default/files/2025-06/west-central-africa-regional-trends-forced-displacement-2025.pdf

https://www.unhcr.org/emergencies/sahel-emergency

https://www.visionofhumanity.org/sub-saharan-africas-rising-peace-challenges/

https://africacenter.org/spotlight/mig2025-militant-islamist-groups-in-africa/

https://futures.issafrica.org/blog/2025/African-Conflict-in-2025

https://www.ispionline.it/en/publication/grey-rhino-2025-the-sahel-194931

The economic situation and in Africa and growing dependence on China

China plays a dual and evolving role in Africa's industrialization, acting as a major infrastructure builder, trade partner, and an increasing source of direct manufacturing investment.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FR9USeg5kXk&t=19s

https://en.ilsole24ore.com/art/china-brings-factories-to-africa-77-billion-invested-in-manufacturing-AJGbAXwB

https://africacenter.org/spotlight/africa-china-relations-2026/

https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2025/10/07/sub-saharan-africa-maintains-resilient-growth-but-faces-urgent-jobs-challenge

https://www.imf.org/en/publications/reo/ssa/issues/2025/10/16/regional-economic-outlook-for-sub-saharan-africa-october-2025

https://www.africanleadershipcentre.org/alc-radio-1/blog-post-title-two-e7pyc-a5tdt-j53d5-8x7y7-j8h2z

https://www.gtreview.com/news/africa/decline-in-project-finance-worsening-african-commodity-dependence-reports-find/

https://africacenter.org/spotlight/africa-china-relations-2025/

https://atlasinstitute.org/the-new-scramble-for-africa-the-great-power-competition-for-the-continent/

The EU, Italy and Africa

https://international-partnerships.ec.europa.eu/policies/global-gateway/initiatives-sub-saharan-africa/eu-africa-global-gateway-investment-package_en

https://international-partnerships.ec.europa.eu/news-and-events/news/global-gateway-africa-european-union-and-african-union-take-stock-significant-progress-2025-05-21_en

https://www.eunews.it/en/2025/10/09/von-der-leyen-global-gateway-better-than-expected-now-a-platform-for-business/

https://www.governo.it/it/piano-mattei see the page links on the right

https://www.governo.it/it/node/28063

 https://decode39.com/11318/the-mattei-plan-in-2025-strategic-depth-and-evolving-implementation/

https://www.governo.it/en/articolo/president-meloni-s-video-message-european-parliament-mattei-plan-africa-and-global-0

Russia and Africa

https://issafrica.org/iss-today/russia-s-africa-paradox-growing-influence-limited-returns

https://www.intellinews.com/russia-s-influence-in-africa-grows-by-a-third-in-a-decade-but-stays-a-quarter-of-china-s-480964/

Italy and the Responsibility to Protect doctrine (R2P)

Italy’s statement at the General Assembly Plenary Debate on the Responsibility to Protect (R2P)

https://italyun.esteri.it/en/news/dalla_rappresentanza/2025/06/italys-statement-at-general-assembly-plenary-debate-on-the-responsibility-to-protect-r2p/

The UN https://transcripts.un.org/en/ga/80/97 06 July 2026

https://www.un.org/en/genocide-prevention/responsibility-protect/about

Italy actively supports the Responsibility to Protect (R2P) doctrine and its core principles at the United Nations General Assembly.

Key Elements of Italy’s Stance on R2P – see also the final section at the end of this post

• Commitment to Prevention: Italy consistently emphasizes that early prevention is the most effective and sustainable tool to avoid mass atrocities, urging the strengthening of early warning mechanisms and national capacities.
• Core Pillars: Italy upholds the foundational three pillars of R2P agreed upon at the 2005 UN World Summit, stressing that protecting populations from genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing, and crimes against humanity transcends political divisions and geopolitical rivalries.
• Active Diplomacy: Italy has historically co-chaired and participated in initiatives like the Group of Friends of R2P at the UN to keep the topic active on the General Assembly's formal agenda.
• Recent Sessions: During recent UNGA plenary debates on R2P (such as the 20th-anniversary milestone discussions and subsequent sessions), Italy has reiterated the necessity of matching international commitments with concrete action, addressing root causes, and fighting impunity through support for international justice and accountability mechanisms

At the UN

All 193 UN Member States unanimously endorsed the Responsibility to Protect (R2P) principle at the 2005 World Summit. Because R2P is a political commitment rather than a binding treaty with formal ratifications, active support is best measured through membership in dedicated UN coalitions and voting records on R2P resolutions.

Dedicated R2P Coalitions

• Group of Friends of the Responsibility to Protect: An informal cross-regional coalition of 55 UN Member States and the European Union that actively advocates for R2P in New York and Geneva. Its members span Africa, the Americas, the Asia-Pacific, and Europe (the full member list can be referenced via).
• Global Network of R2P Focal Points: Over 60 countries, alongside the European Union and the Organization of American States, have appointed senior government officials dedicated to mass atrocity prevention. This includes nations across Africa, the Americas, Asia-Pacific, and Europe, such as the U.S., South Africa, and Poland (further participating states are detailed in).

Broader UN General Assembly Support

Active backing is also demonstrated through General Assembly voting records. For instance, 115 countries voted in favor of UN General Assembly Resolution A/75/277 to establish R2P as a permanent annual agenda item. Additional states—such as Brazil, India, and the United Arab Emirates—regularly participate in R2P dialogues and back state responsibility and international assistance, while frequently maintaining cautious stances regarding coercive intervention.

And Opposition

In the landmark vote on UN General Assembly Resolution A/RES/75/277—which formally placed the Responsibility to Protect (R2P) on the General Assembly's annual agenda—15 countries voted against the resolution and 28 countries abstained. While all UN Member States endorsed R2P in principle in 2005, these nations expressed concerns over state sovereignty, potential misuse for political intervention, or procedural consensus.

The complete voting breakdown from the official UN Digital Library Record for A/RES/75/277 shows the exact stances of these member states:

Countries That Voted Against (15)

These states opposed institutionalizing R2P as a permanent annual agenda item, often citing concerns that the principle can be selectively applied to infringe upon national sovereignty and non-interference:

• Belarus
• Bolivia
• Burundi
• China
• Cuba
• Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea)
• Egypt
• Eritrea
• Indonesia
• Kyrgyzstan
• Nicaragua
• Russian Federation
• Syrian Arab Republic
• Venezuela
• Zimbabwe

Countries That Abstained (28)

These states chose not to try to block the resolution, though several noted during the debate—as summarized by the Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect—that R2P still lacked full conceptual consensus among member states:

• Algeria
• Angola
• Bhutan
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Brunei Darussalam
• Cameroon
• Chad
• Djibouti
• Ethiopia
• India
• Iraq
• Kazakhstan
• Kenya
• Lao People's Democratic Republic
• Libya
• Mali
• Namibia
• Nepal
• Pakistan
• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
• Sao Tome and Principe
• Serbia
• Singapore
• Sri Lanka
• Sudan
• Suriname
• Uzbekistan
• Viet Nam

(Note: An additional 35 UN Member States were absent or did not cast a vote during this plenary session, including Iran, Myanmar, and South Sudan.)

https://www.globalr2p.org/publications/summary-of-the-2021-un-general-assembly-plenary-meeting-on-the-responsibility-to-protect/

Some traditional criticisms of R2P

The Responsibility to Protect (R2P) doctrine—endorsed by UN member states in 2005 to prevent genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing, and crimes against humanity—faces several core criticisms from scholars, policymakers, and international lawyers:

1. Selectivity and Double Standards

• Inconsistent Application: R2P is not applied uniformly. The international community acts in some cases (e.g., Libya in 2011), while remaining inactive or deadlocked in others with comparable or worse atrocities (e.g., Syria, Myanmar).
• Geopolitical Interests: Critics argue that decisions to invoke R2P depend on the strategic and political interests of major powers rather than humanitarian need.

2. The Trap of Regime Change and "Mission Creep"

• The Libya Precedent (2011): Authorized under R2P to protect civilians, the NATO-led intervention quickly shifted into active regime change to depose Muammar Gaddafi.
• Loss of Trust: This shift alienated key countries like Russia, China, and India, who felt misled. It led them to block subsequent R2P applications (such as in Syria) out of fear that humanitarian mandates are a Trojan horse for Western-led regime change.
• Post-Intervention Chaos: Interventions often lack long-term commitments to stabilization and state-building, leaving countries like Libya or parts of the Sahel worse off and more fractured than before.

3. Clash with State Sovereignty and Realist Critique

• Erosion of International Order: Realist critics argue that R2P undermines the foundational principle of state sovereignty and non-interference established in the UN Charter.
• Weapon of the Strong: Weaker and developing nations often view R2P as a neo-colonial tool that allows powerful Western states to judge, override, or militarily violate the sovereignty of smaller or non-aligned countries.
• De Facto Power Realities: Critics note that R2P’s high-minded moral rules ignore raw geopolitical power dynamics (such as the veto power of the P5 on the UN Security Council), making the doctrine toothless when major powers disagree.

4. Legal Ambiguity and Lack of Binding Obligation

• Not a Hard Law: R2P is a political commitment and an international aspiration rather than a strictly enforceable legal obligation.
• No Duty to Act: The doctrine does not legally compel states or the UN Security Council to intervene when atrocities occur. It leaves a dangerous gap between moral rhetoric and actual accountability.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQ3pJiNCH64&t=364s

https://share.google/PXRPA1yV6RHZnkqDF

Current criticism in 2026 – the lack of commitment from the international community

https://reliefweb.int/report/world/international-community-has-failed-turning-responsibility-protect-reality-speakers-stress-general-assembly-concludes-debate

Analysts, diplomats, and international law scholars widely debate the effectiveness of the Responsibility to Protect (R2P) doctrine, with many critics arguing that a lack of consistent international commitment undermines its core goals. While proponents view the framework—adopted at the 2005 UN World Summit—as a vital norm grounded in existing treaties like the Genocide Convention, critics point to several structural and political barriers that prevent reliable enforcement.

R2P and International Commitment

• Lack of Binding Legal Obligation. Legal scholars point out that R2P is a political framework rather than a binding international legal instrument. As a result, states face no formal legal duty to intervene when mass atrocities occur.
• Geopolitical Paralysis and the UN Veto. Critics frequently highlight that the UN Security Council struggles to authorize collective action when permanent members hold competing strategic interests. Observers cite the international response to crises in Syria and Myanmar as examples where veto power blocked decisive intervention despite severe civilian casualties.
• Selective Application and Double Standards. Several UN member states and commentators argue that the doctrine is applied inconsistently depending on the geopolitical weight of the country involved. Some critics contend that powerful nations invoke humanitarian principles selectively while avoiding action in conflicts involving key allies.
• Concerns Over Sovereignty and Regime Change. As outlined above, following the 2011 NATO-led intervention in Libya, several nations argued that military action under R2P exceeded civilian protection mandates to pursue regime change. In UN debates, certain delegations have characterized the doctrine as a repackaging of traditional Western interventionism that threatens national sovereignty.
• Insufficient Long-Term Rebuilding. Policy analysts note that international commitment often fades once immediate military operations conclude. In the case of Libya, observers attribute ongoing instability and civil conflict to a lack of sustained international participation in post-conflict reconciliation and state-building.

Counter-Perspectives on and Support for the R2P Doctrine's Value

• Strengthening Global Norms. Supporters, including organizations like the Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect, argue that R2P has successfully shifted the global understanding of sovereignty from an absolute right to a responsibility toward citizens.
• Focus on Prevention Over Force. Advocates emphasize that military intervention is only a last resort under the doctrine's third pillar. They point to ongoing diplomatic monitoring, early warning mechanisms, and UN resolutions as practical tools that help prevent atrocities without requiring armed force

https://www.globalr2p.org/what-is-r2p/

https://gsdrc.org/topic-guides/international-legal-frameworks-for-humanitarian-action/challenges/the-responsibility-to-protect/

Italy’s Position and call for action

Italy has explicitly criticized the gap between global promises and concrete action regarding the Responsibility to Protect (R2P) doctrine. During recent United Nations General Assembly plenary debates on the doctrine, Italian representatives argued that international commitments frequently fall short when mass atrocities occur.

Italy’s Key Arguments on R2P

In statements delivered by the Permanent Mission of Italy to the United Nations, Italy has highlighted several critical shortcomings in how the international community upholds the 2005 R2P framework:

• Failure to Translate Promises into Action. Reflecting on the 20th anniversary of the doctrine in 2025, Italy stated that "too often our promises have fallen short of action," pointing to ongoing crises from Sudan to Myanmar where civilians bear the cost of global inaction.
• A Climate of Impunity. Italian diplomats have warned that a persistent lack of accountability undermines collective prevention efforts. Italy argues that international justice is essential not just for victims, but as a necessary deterrent against future war crimes and crimes against humanity.
• Moral and Political Obligation. Italy maintains that R2P cannot be treated merely as an abstract legal principle. Instead, it argues that states hold a binding moral and political obligation to act collectively and decisively before risk factors escalate into mass violence.

Italy’s Proposed Priorities for Strengthening R2P

Rather than viewing R2P solely through the lens of military intervention, Italy advocates for a broader, proactive approach to fulfill the doctrine's mandate:

• Prioritizing Early Prevention. As an active member of the Global Network of R2P Focal Points, Italy stresses that prevention is the most sustainable tool. It urges the international community to invest more heavily in early warning mechanisms, national human rights institutions, and inclusive governance.
• Addressing Root Causes and Emerging Threats. Italy highlights that extreme poverty, weak institutions, and human rights violations serve as primary drivers of conflict. It also calls for a forward-looking approach to address modern risk multipliers, including climate change, disinformation, and hate speech.
• Grassroots and Victim Inclusion. Italy supports bottom-up prevention strategies, such as the UN-backed Napoli Plan of Action, which empowers local women leaders to counter hate speech and prevent incitement to violence within their communities.

https://italyun.esteri.it/en/news/dalla_rappresentanza/2023/06/statement-by-italy-at-the-general-assembly-debate-on-item-134-the-responsibility-to-protect-and-the-prevention-of-genocide-war-crimes-ethnic-cleansing-and-crimes-against-humanity/

Sports Dilomacy - an update

https://www.esteri.it/it/temi/diplomazia-dello-sport/

https://www.esteri.it/it/diplomazia-economica-e-politica-commerciale/diplomazia-dello-sport/

https://www.esteri.it/en/diplomazia-economica-e-politica-commerciale/diplomazia-dello-sport/

https://www.esteri.it/it/temi/diplomazia_economica/promozione-integrata-del-sistema/

https://www.esteri.it/en/temi/diplomazia_economica/promozione-integrata-del-sistema/

 2026 European Athletics Championships

https://www.progetto-radici.it/2026/08/24/sport-italiano-nel-mondo/

https://www.fidal.it/content/Sport-e-Innovazione-l-atletica-in-campo/184263

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iD14uxBfiDo

«Lo sport genera in Italia 24,7 miliardi di valore aggiunto e occupa 400mila persone. I Giochi di Milano Cortina produrranno 5,3 miliardi di euro di impatto economico e 3 miliardi in infrastrutture».

https://www.esteri.it/it/sala_stampa/archivionotizie/interviste/2025/10/intervista-ad-antonio-tajani-corsa-rosa-ed-eventi-sportivi-ambasciatori-di-tutto-il-paese-la-gazzetta-dello-sport/

https://www.esteri.it/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Esempi_IniziativePromozionali_diplomaziasportiva_2024.pdf

I found another source that says the Italian sports ecosystem contributes over €32 billion in added value (about 1.5% of GDP)

https://www.tuttoitalia.ch/news/sports-diplomacy-the-farnesina-promotes-the-italian-system-worldwide-from-coni-delegates-to-consulates

Giornata dello Sport Italiano nel Mondo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Np_D9JSwoSY prima edizione 2024

https://onuitalia.com/2024/09/13/tajani-e-abodi-presentano-la-giornata-italiana-dello-sport-nel-mondo/

https://www.thewatcherpost.it/esteri/sport-italiano-nel-mondo-giornata-villa-madama/

https://www.agenzianova.com/news/farnesina-inaugurata-la-giornata-dello-sport-italiano-nel-mondo-nuova-priorita-della-politica-estera/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVqocbIVVYQ seconda edizione 2025

https://www.esteri.it/it/sala_stampa/archivionotizie/approfondimenti/2025/05/il-ministro-tajani-apre-la-seconda-edizione-del-progetto-sport-e-innovazione-made-in-italy/ Italian

https://www.esteri.it/en/sala_stampa/archivionotizie/approfondimenti/2025/05/il-ministro-tajani-apre-la-seconda-edizione-del-progetto-sport-e-innovazione-made-in-italy/ English

https://www.esteri.it/it/sala_stampa/archivionotizie/comunicati/2025/09/il-ministro-tajani-e-il-ministro-abodi-inaugurano-la-seconda-giornata-dello-sport-italiano-nel-mondo-grandi-eventi-sportivi-ed-eccellenze-italiane-al-centro-della-diplomazia-dello-sport/ Italian

https://www.esteri.it/en/sala_stampa/archivionotizie/comunicati/2025/09/il-ministro-tajani-e-il-ministro-abodi-inaugurano-la-seconda-giornata-dello-sport-italiano-nel-mondo-grandi-eventi-sportivi-ed-eccellenze-italiane-al-centro-della-diplomazia-dello-sport/ English

https://www.esteri.it/it/sala_stampa/archivionotizie/interviste/2025/05/americaa-cup-a-napoli-un-bel-riconoscimento-alla-capitale-del-mediterraneo/

https://www.esteri.it/en/sala_stampa/archivionotizie/interviste/2025/05/americaa-cup-a-napoli-un-bel-riconoscimento-alla-capitale-del-mediterraneo/

https://www.esteri.it/it/sala_stampa/archivionotizie/comunicati/2025/05/tajani-pronti-a-valorizzare-lamericas-cup-a-napoli-allestero-grande-evento-di-diplomazia-sportiva/

https://www.esteri.it/it/sala_stampa/archivionotizie/comunicati/2025/05/tajani-pronti-a-valorizzare-lamericas-cup-a-napoli-allestero-grande-evento-di-diplomazia-sportiva/

https://www.coni.it/it/news/seconda-edizione-della-giornata-dello-sport-italiano-nel-mondo-buonfiglio-impegno-insieme-per-italia-protagonista.html

https://www.coni.it/en/news/second-edition-of-the-italian-sport-in-the-world-day-buonfiglio-commitment-together-for-an-italy-that-leads.html

MILANO CORTINA 2026. LA DIPLOMAZIA DELLO SPORT DI FRONTE ALLE SFIDE GLOBALI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3sOsUYD-650

https://www.giornalediplomatico.it/farnesina-presentazione-aolimpiadi-e-paralimpiadi-invernali-milano-cortina-2026.htm

https://en.ilsole24ore.com/art/sport-and-made-in-italy-together-win-AH2adutB?refresh_ce=1

https://www.sportanddev.org/thematic-areas/democracy/what-sports-diplomacy#:~:text=Sports%20diplomacy%20refers%20to%20the,shared%20love%20of%20physical%20pursuits.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3sOsUYD-650

https://veracura.network/sport-diplomacy/

https://www.treccani.it/magazine/atlante/geopolitica/Giochi_diplomatici.html

https://www.tes-diplomacy.org/pdf/mapping-and-analysis-sport-diplomacies/TES-D_National_report_Italy.pdf

https://www.sportesalute.eu/primo-piano/sport-e-innovazione-made-in-italy-si-rinnova-la-partnership-tra-sport-e-salute-e-ice-per-la-promozione-internazionale-dello-sport-system-con-fitp-fidal-e-fin.html

http://theafricanfile.com/academics/usc/sports-diplomacy-and-apartheid-south-africa/

In  an essay you should give a couple of examples of sports ambassadors. Official ones like Jannik Sinner and unofficial ones like Kimi Antonelli.

You should provide a section on how sports diplomacy is linked to economic diplomacy – companies that benefit from sports diplomacy like Technogym, Diadora & EA7 sportswear, Webuild for sports infrastructure and football clubs like Juventus FC, AC Milan, Inter Milan, and SSC Napoli that drive high-yield sports tourism and capture international commercial investment (such as diaspora monetization and Middle Eastern partnerships). Ferrari and its luxury car sales.

You could add something on avoiding the potential dangers – when has sports diplomacy failed ? Economically or politically or in both fields? For example -  

The 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics. Massive Debt and Cost: The Games carried a price tag of roughly $13 billion to $14 billion amidst a deep economic recession in Brazil, pushing the state and city of Rio de Janeiro toward bankruptcy and leading to mass protests

The 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, West Germany, are remembered not as a failure of athletic competition, but as a historic security and political tragedy centered around the Munich Massacre on September 5–6, 1972

The 2026 FIFA World Cup faced a mix of massive commercial success (such as record revenues, over $15 billion, and high-scoring matches) alongside severe organizational, financial, and political criticisms that led many observers to label off-field aspects a failure or a "soft power" disappointment. Messi was praised for his sportsmanship but Argentina was criticised for its negative tactics and attitude. Spain was praised for its energetic performance and giving young players the spotlight.

And of course, if football fans riot or cause problems abroad, this damages the image of the country. So clubs, sports personalities and playes must act responsibly (like diplomats!)

Italian men’s football seems to have suffered a structural and competitive decline recently, marked by the national team missing three consecutive men's World Cups (2018, 2022, and 2026) and this damages its traditionally strong image.

However, on the positive side, the rise and success of Italian women's sports have driven a profound cultural and social transformation in Italy, acting as a powerful tool for gender empowerment, sport and health integration, and national inspiration, while promoting an image of Italy as a progressive society. Examples - Italian women’s football and Italian women’s athletics.