Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates joined an international conference in Rome on Sunday to address the migration crisis and its impact on nations. The Kingdom’s Minister of the Interior, Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz, represented Saudi Arabia and conveyed appreciation for Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni for organizing the event. Prince Abdulaziz emphasized the Kingdom’s humanitarian work and efforts to combat illegal migration and exploitation.
During the conference, the UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan pledged $100 million to support development projects in countries affected by irregular immigration. Participants from more than 20 countries in the Mediterranean, Middle East, and Africa agreed on steps to tackle unauthorized migration and address the underlying factors driving people to leave their homes for Europe.
Italian Prime Minister Meloni emphasized the need to crack down on people smuggling while promoting cooperation in areas such as renewable energy and climate change. She also expressed openness to legal immigration routes to Europe while stressing the importance of preventing perilous Mediterranean crossings through unauthorized means.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen echoed the sentiment of providing legal routes into the European Union and emphasized the EU’s partnership with Tunisia to combat illegal migration. The EU has pledged financial aid to Tunisia to address migration-related challenges.
In St. Peter’s Square, Pope Francis urged European and African governments to assist migrants trapped in desert areas in North Africa and prevent the Mediterranean from becoming a “theater of death” for those attempting to cross.
Italy, as the host country, is grappling with the influx of unauthorized migrants and aging demographics. The nation plans to issue a significant number of work visas for non-EU nationals in the coming years to support its economy.
The conference aimed to find comprehensive solutions to the migration issue, addressing root causes such as climate change, terrorism, diseases, and poverty through international cooperation and partnerships.