Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Burundi
On the occasion of the 20th meeting of the Parties of the Congo Basin Forest Partnership (CBFP), which was held in Kinshasa from June 3 to 5, 2024 at the Pullman Hotel, the Republic of Burundi, in his capacity as current President of the Central African Forestry Commission (COMIFAC), played a leading role in the organization of several important events to strengthen an economic diplomacy.
On the sidelines of the 20th meeting of the Parties of the Congo Basin Forest Partnership (CBFP), a side event “SIDE EVENT” was organized by a consortium of organizations under Burundian law, grouped under the acronym WIFRIC (WIN, FONDATION-LAB, Rise and Shine House ET CIFFRED), in collaboration with the Embassy of Burundi in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). That event, placed under the patronage of His Excellency Mr Agricole Mwamba Ntirampeba, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Burundi to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), was organized under the theme: “Innovative initiatives on climate finance and development sustainable in Burundi.
The event benefited from the distinguished presence of High-ranking personalities, including the Burundian Minister of Environment, Agriculture and Livestock, and current President of the Central African Forestry Commission (COMIFAC), the Commissioner General of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), Commissioner for the Environment, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Rural Development of the ECCAS Commission Dr Honoré Tabuna, Executive Secretary of the Forestry Commission of Central Africa (COMIFAC) Dr Hervé Maidou, the former German Facilitator of the Congo Basin Forest Partnership (CBFP) Dr Christian Ruck, the Representative of the United States Embassy in the DRC Ambassador Lucy Tamlyn, Mrs Christine Vivien of FRMi design office currently working on the national forest inventory in Burundi and other researchers and representatives of civil society. Those High personalities provided their support and expertise to that important initiative, which is part of Burundi’s efforts to strengthen the environmental economic diplomacy and promote a sustainable development.
The Embassy of Burundi in the DRC also organized a prestigious dinner on Wednesday June 5, 2024, the last day of activities, at the Hilton hotel in Kinshasa, under the theme: “Investing in Burundi”. That exclusive dinner brought together distinguished guests, including delegates from the Government of Burundi, Representatives of the Government of the DRC, regional and international financial institutions, the diplomatic Corps accredited in the DRC, the UNDP Representative in the DRC, heads of Burundian businesses and investors.
The organization of those events by the Embassy of Burundi in the DRC is part of Burundi’s vision of strengthening an environmental cooperation and promoting the country’s economic development. Burundi, which aspires to become an emerging country in 2040 and a developed country in 2060, is doing everything it can to create a favorable environment for investments and attract the foreign capital. It was also a good opportunity for Burundi, through the Embassy of Burundi in the DRC, to present its immense investment potential to the economic actors present. Speakers highlighted the attractive investment opportunities offered by the country in key sectors such as agriculture, agri-food, mining, energy, tourism and infrastructure. That event is also the part of Burundi’s strategy to strengthen an economic diplomacy and create a favorable environment for the foreign investments.
Let us remind that the holding of those activities was favored by the sincere relations of friendship and cooperation existing between the two sister Republics, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo, well cemented since the advent to power of His Excellency Evariste Ndayishimiye President of the Republic of Burundi, and His Excellency Felix-Antoine TSHISEKEDI TSHILOMBO President of the Democratic Republic of Congo.