Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Burundi
On 14 September 2026, His Excellency Ambassador Édouard BIZIMANA, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and Development Cooperation, officially opened a five-day training session for newly appointed Burundian diplomats designated to represent Burundi abroad, as well as officials of the Ministry.
In his opening remarks, Minister Édouard BIZIMANA congratulated the newly appointed diplomats on the trust placed in them and reminded them of the importance of the mission entrusted to them. He emphasized that representing Burundi abroad is an honor and a privilege, but above all, it is a great responsibility.
In view of the numerous challenges facing the world today, including geopolitical conflicts, economic and environmental challenges, and the evolving relations between States, the Minister stressed the need for every diplomat to have the knowledge, skills and tools required to perform their duties effectively.It is in this context that the Ministry organized this training to strengthen the capacities of diplomats and Ministry officials. The Minister called on them to amplify Burundi’s voice on the international stage, with particular emphasis on economic diplomacy, which Burundi needs to accelerate its development and contribute to the achievement of the vision of “Burundi, an Emerging Country by 2040 and a Developed Country by 2060.”
He also reminded them that they would be the living reflection of Burundi’s image abroad. In this regard, their daily work should be guided by several fundamental principles, including the defense of Burundi’s strategic interests; negotiation, with a view to influencing decisions, building alliances, and contributing to the country’s security and prosperity; promoting the image of Burundi, its culture and values; as well as serving and protecting Burundian citizens residing abroad.
Minister Édouard BIZIMANA also made several recommendations to the participants, including respect for the hierarchy, strategic dignity, as well as a strong presence and positive impact in the workplace.
He reminded them that a good diplomat must be seasoned, well-equipped, attentive to national and international developments, and able to adapt to the changes taking place in the world on a daily basis.He assured the participants that the Ministry’s central administration would remain fully available to support them and contribute to the successful fulfillment of their mission.
For her part, Ms. Emma N’Gouan-Anoh, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative in Burundi, welcomed the Ministry’s initiative and expressed her appreciation for the relevance of the topics covered during the training.She particularly highlighted the importance of issues related to law, diplomatic protocol, global international policy challenges, and the challenges of the digital age.
Ms. N’Gouan-Anoh emphasized that, beyond the traditional functions of a diplomat, diplomats must now take on the role of strategic negotiators and investment promoters, capable of mobilizing opportunities in support of national development.
She stressed the need to equip diplomats with the knowledge and skills required to respond effectively to the multiple challenges facing the contemporary world and to contribute actively to the advancement of the 2030 Agenda and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).