Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Burundi
The third ministerial monitoring conference of the Africa-Turkey partnership was held in Djibouti from November 02 to 03, 2024. The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Development Cooperation was represented by a delegation led by His Excellency Ambassador Albert Shingiro.
In his speech, His Excellency Ambassador Albert Shingiro congratulated the African countries and the Republic of Turkey on the level of cooperation achieved, given that this cooperation is based on pragmatism, trust and mutual respect, reciprocity and common interests. He indicated that with the adoption of the Joint Action Plan of the Africa-Turkey Partnership 2022-2026, containing concrete actions to be implemented jointly, the organization of this monitoring Conference, to ensure together an effective monitoring and evaluation of the progress made during the first two years of implementation of the said Plan, honors the spirit solemnly expressed in the Istanbul Declaration in 2021 by the Heads of State and Government.
Minister Shingiro was delighted with the significant and fruitful advances made in this mutually beneficial partnership, while acknowledging that in such a partnership there is always a chance for improvement.
Africa-Turkey economic relations are underpinned by the strengthening and diversification of trade between Africa and Turkey, the progress made and the efforts undertaken by the African Union to set up the Continental Free Trade Area as an effective mechanism for boosting intra-African trade, the establishment of air links operated by Turkish Airlines between Istanbul and almost all major African cities, as well as the organization of several economic and cultural forums between Turkey and Africa, in order to keep the flame of Afro-Turkish relations alive.
With regard to the implementation of the Joint Action Plan of the Africa-Turkey Partnership 2022-2026, His Excellency Ambassador Albert Shingiro informed that this activity is proceeding as normal. Through its revised National Development Plan 2018-2027 and its Vision of ‘’Burundi as an Emerging Country in 2040 and a Developed Country in 2060’’, the Government of Burundi is implementing a program aligned with the Joint Action Plan, particularly in terms of boosting growth-generating sectors, developing human capital, protecting the environment and regional planning.
The Burundian Minister took the opportunity to inform that the Government of Burundi is organizing an economic round table with its public and private development partners from December 5 to 6, 2024 in Bujumbura, with a particular focus on promoting foreign direct investment in various fields. Potential investors from these countries are invited to discover the wide range of business and investment opportunities that Burundi can offer its partners through mutually beneficial strategic partnerships. The Minister hopes that Burundi will act in solidarity with Agenda 2063, an Africa that is integrated, peaceful, prosperous, influential, resilient, politically united and founded on the ideals of pan-Africanism and the vision of recognizing Africa.
