Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Burundi
Bujumbura, June 1, 2026, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and Development Cooperation, H.E. Ambassador Édouard Bizimana, received in audience an important delegation of development partners.
The delegation was composed of:
- Mrs. Violet Kakyomya, Resident Coordinator of the United Nations System in Burundi
• Mrs. Elisabetta Pietrobon, Ambassador of the European Union to Burundi
• Dr. Amadou Nchare, Country Representative of the African Development Bank (AfDB)
• Mr. Sayed Ghulam, Senior Health Specialist representing the World Bank (IMF)During the meeting, Minister Bizimana presented the priority activities Burundi wishes to highlight during its presidency of the African Union:
- Peace and security, notably through the Continental Youth Dialogue on Peace and Security
- Empowerment of girls and women
- Water and sanitation, and improvement of living conditions
- Education for refugee children
In turn, each of the partners expressed their support for Burundi’s initiatives. All agreed on the need to accompany the country in the effective implementation of its responsibilities so that this presidency has a positive and lasting impact.
They also proposed holding a technical meeting soon to further discuss the ideas raised and define a concrete action plan. Minister Bizimana committed to sharing
the terms of reference to facilitate this collaboration.
The development partners, the European Union, the United Nations, the World Bank, and the African Development Bank have expressed their appreciation for Burundi’s
initiatives and have committed to working closely with the President of the African Union. The common goal is to make Burundi’s presidency of the African Union
a continental example, marked by tangible progress in peace, security, and development.
In order to support Burundi’s efforts in assisting refugees, the AfDB has just approved a budget of 13 million dollars to support refugees living in Burundi.