The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, went on an official visit to Italy last week, meeting institutional, local, and staff representatives. While in Lampedusa, Grandi expressed gratitude to those working to welcome migrants and issued a reminder not to forget those who lost their lives in the Mediterranean.
The official visit to Italy by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, concluded on July 11: he met with institutional representatives, local authorities, and staff doing field work to strengthen cooperation on asylum, shelter, and integration.
In a global context marked by significant financial difficulties for the humanitarian sector, Grandi thanked the Italian government for its support, in particular for Africa, and he appreciated the partnership with African countries through the Mattei Plan and other initiatives aimed at a shared management of the migration phenomenon.
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Lampedusa was the first stop of the visit
Grandi underscored how to offer protection and solutions along routes that can promote stability, development, and credible alternatives to human trafficking, and how it is necessary to increase efforts to solve the deep causes that push millions of persons to flee across the world.
The visit began in Lampedusa, where the High Commissioner for Human Rights offered recognition for the work done by institutions, the Red Cross, and other partners that brought important improvements in the shelter hotspots, as well as the work conducted by those whose activities aim to rescue people at sea.
"We must recognize the collective efforts that are made in a tangible way to offer assistance to people who arrive and offer them dignified shelter conditions. Today, Lampedusa is an example to be followed by the rest of Italy and elsewhere," stated Grandi.
"I appreciate the work of the Coast Guard crews, of the Finance Guard, and of the NGOs that rescued thousands of lives through the years, and as the community of Lampedusa, they are an extraordinary example of humanity. We must not forget, however, those who lost their lives in the Mediterranean. There have been over 500 deaths on this route in 2025, and only a stronger and coordinated European effort can avoid further loss of human lives," he added.
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Conference on Ukraine and meeting with high-level leaders
Grandi participated in the Conference on the Reconstruction of Ukraine in Rome: "Despite war, many people are already trying to rebuild their lives. This effort must be sustained immediately: we cannot wait for peace to start. This is also true for the voluntary return of millions of refugees and displaced persons, when it will be possible, so that they may contribute to rebuilding the country," he commented.
However, the High Commissioner underscored that without stable and reliable funding from donors, humanitarian interventions and development at the global level will go through a very dangerous crisis. During the visit, Grandi met with the Italian Minister of Interior, Matteo Piantedosi, and with the Mayor of Rome, Roberto Gualtieri.
The focal part of the discussion was Italian cooperation and the UNHCR in the countries of origin, transit, and destination for refugees, and the search for shared solutions and integration policies for refugees.
Lastly, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights was received by the Italian President, Sergio Mattarella, for a meeting that was seen as confirming the strong cooperation between Italy and UNHCR.