Tunisia hosts 14th conference of Confederation of Italians in the World: strong signal for the Tunisian-Italian partnershi.

An International Conference Under the Sign of Tunisian-Italian Friendship

On the mandate of the President of the Republic, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Migration, and Tunisians Abroad, Mohamed Ali Nafti, chaired the opening ceremony of the 14th conference of the Confederation of Italians in the World on April 4, 2025. This major event is taking place from April 4 to 6.

In his speech, the minister hailed the choice of Tunisia as the host country for this international event, while underscoring the richness of the historical, cultural, and human ties between Tunisia and Italy. He also stressed the importance of this meeting in strengthening economic and cultural exchanges between the two countries.

A Shared Migration History for Over Five Centuries

The minister reflected on the Italian migration flows to Tunisia, which date back more than 500 years, highlighting how Italians have integrated into Tunisian society, leaving a lasting impact on dialects, customs, arts, and other cultural fields.

This long history of peaceful coexistence and mutual enrichment forms a solid foundation for the current relations between Tunis and Rome.

Dynamic and Expanding Economic Relations

Addressing current bilateral relations, Mohamed Ali Nafti highlighted the progress made in recent years through a series of high-level visits that have contributed to boosting economic exchanges. Italy is now:

• The largest foreign investor in the energy sector in Tunisia.

• The second-largest foreign investor overall, with an estimated investment volume of 3.7 billion dinars in 2024.

• A strategic partner in employment, with more than 83,000 jobs created through these investments.

The minister specified that around 1,000 Italian companies are currently active in Tunisia. He called for more Italian investments, stressing the comparative advantages Tunisia offers in strategic, high-value-added sectors such as renewable energy, ICT, mechanical industries, and agribusiness.

Strategic Projects for the Future of Energy

Among the major ongoing projects, the minister highlighted the ELMED project, an undersea electrical interconnection between Tunisia and Italy, which is seen as a strategic lever for Euro-Mediterranean energy integration.

This project illustrates the shared desire of the two countries to deepen their partnership, particularly in the field of energy transition.

A Confederation Serving the Diaspora and International Cooperation

The Confederation of Italians in the World, which organizes this conference, is an independent non-governmental organization active for over 30 years in Italy and 33 countries, including Tunisia. It brings together about 2,000 associations representing the interests of a diaspora estimated at 80 million people worldwide.

In addition to defending the rights of Italians living abroad, the confederation acts as a bridge between Italy and the host countries, working to strengthen economic, cultural, and social cooperation, with strong engagement from the Italian business leaders who are members.

An Exemplary Partnership Looking Toward the Future

The holding of this 14th conference in Tunis confirms the exceptional quality of Tunisian-Italian relations, rooted in history but looking toward the future. Through this initiative, Tunisia reaffirms its position as a platform for Mediterranean dialogue and cooperation, focusing on strategic, sustainable, and fair partnerships with its European neighbors.

The active participation of representatives from the Italian diaspora and the business world opens promising perspectives to consolidate investments and intensify cultural exchanges in a spirit of co-development beneficial for both countries.