Financial commitment to international development must not decrease as a result of international crises, President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella said during a meeting with Microsoft founder Bill Gates at the Quirinale palace in Rome on Friday.

“We must not decrease our financial commitment despite international crises,” said Mattarella.

During the meeting the head of state and the co-chair and founder of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation reportedly discussed the African continent, development, health and the impact of technology on development, as well as touching on the potential of artificial intelligence and associated risks.