Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Burundi
On Monday, October 26, 2026, Ambassador Else Nizigama Ntamagiro, Assistant to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration, and Development Cooperation, represented the Minister at the ceremonies marking the 81st anniversary of the United Nations (UN) in Burundi.
In her address, she emphasized that this commemoration holds particular significance for Burundi, given an international landscape defined by profound shifts and the need to strengthen a more inclusive, responsive, and effective multilateralism. She noted that this momentum is part of the ongoing discussions and reforms within the “UN80” process, which aims to adapt the United Nations system to contemporary challenges.
Ambassador Else Nizigama Ntamagiro also highlighted the essential role of the partnership between the African Union and the United Nations in promoting peace and security across the continent. In this regard, she recalled the vision of His Excellency Évariste Ndayishimiye, President of the Republic of Burundi and Chairperson of the African Union, who underscores the importance of close cooperation between the two organizations to effectively address the security challenges facing Africa.
Furthermore, she highlighted the progress Burundi has made in implementing its development vision, which aims to transform the nation into an emerging economy by 2040 and a developed country by 2060. According to her, achieving these goals depends on strong, pragmatic, and mutually beneficial partnerships. In this context, the United Nations system remains a key partner to the Government of Burundi, particularly in strategic sectors such as food security, energy transition, and the strengthening of human capital.
Speaking in turn, Ms. Violet Kenyana Kakyomya, Resident Coordinator of the United Nations system in Burundi, expressed her gratitude to the Government of Burundi—and specifically to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration, and Development Cooperation—for its leadership and close collaboration in organizing this celebration.
She reaffirmed the United Nations system’s commitment to supporting Burundi in its sustainable development efforts by backing initiatives aimed at improving the living conditions of the population and achieving national development priorities.
This celebration served as an excellent opportunity to reaffirm the strength of the cooperation between Burundi and the United Nations, as well as their shared commitment to peace, sustainable development, and the well-being of the population.
