Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, 6 July 2023 – The President of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), H.E Dr. Muhammad Al Jasser, held bilateral talks with Mr. Leonardo Costa, the Consul General of Italy in Jeddah.

At the outset of the meeting, Mr. Costa had the honor of delivering an official invitation signed by the Prime Minister of Italy, H.E. Giorgia Melony to H.E. Dr. Al Jasser. The invitation cordially invited Dr. Al Jasser to participate in the upcoming high-level International Conference on Development and Migration, scheduled for the 23^rd of July 2023. This high-level conference aims to assemble global leaders, experts, and stakeholders to deliberate on crucial issues pertaining to development and migration.

The primary focus of the discussions revolved around the multifaceted challenges associated with migration and the potential for empowering human capital in response to these challenges. Dr. Al Jasser and Mr. Costa expressed their shared concern for the complex issues arising from migration patterns worldwide.

During the meeting, Dr. Al Jasser emphasized the interconnectedness of fostering hope for development and addressing migration challenges. He underscored the importance of creating an enabling environment that not only supports development efforts but also nurtures human capital, enabling individuals to fulfill their potential and contribute meaningfully to society, as witnessed through various IsDB funded projects in member countries.

Furthermore, Dr. Al Jasser acknowledged the critical role that international collaboration plays in addressing global challenges such as migration. He expressed his appreciation for Italy's proactive stance in organizing the upcoming International Conference on Development and Migration, recognizing it as a significant step towards formulating comprehensive strategies to tackle the complex issues at hand.