Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Burundi
The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Development Cooperation of the Republic of Burundi, His Excellency Ambassador Albert Shingiro, delivered an appealing speech during the opening of the “Fair Handeln” held in Stuttgart on April 4, 2024. The Minister underlined the importance of the fair trade and his commitment to the economic and social development of Burundi. He also highlighted the partnership between Burundi and the Land of Baden-Württemberg, emphasizing on mutually beneficial and respectful cooperation.
In his speech, the Minister expressed his gratitude to the authorities of the Land of Baden-Württemberg for their invitation and for the warm welcome given to the Burundian delegation. He added that the Fair Handeln offers an excellent opportunity for discussing about the fair trade, a subject of common interest. The show provides a unique platform for companies, organizations and professionals to present and exchange ideas on sustainable products, services and initiatives based on fairness, transparency and ecological responsibility.
He noted that Burundi is committed in increasing the capacities of the Burundian producers in order to promote their economic autonomy and carry out social projects beneficial to their communities, while ensuring respect for the environment and labor standards. In a world marked by growing tensions in the field of international trade, the Minister highlighted the obvious benefits of fair trade. Those include, among other things, balancing the producer/consumer relationship between the developed and the developing countries, creating the opportunities for the economically disadvantaged producers, transparency and accountability, and ensuring the trade relations based on the trust and mutual respect.
In addition, the fair trade contributes to the fight against the child labor and the forced labor, promotes the non-discrimination, the gender equality and the economic emancipation of the women, while ensuring the decent working conditions and the respecting environmental standards.
Minister Albert Shingiro also underlined the importance of a renewed and strengthened global partnership to achieve a more equitable world order. He called for a constructive dialogue in favor of international cooperation based on a supportive and reciprocal partnership. The partnership between Burundi and the Land of Baden-Württemberg was hailed as a concrete example of cooperation based on friendship, mutual respect and mutual benefits. The Minister expressed his pride in the progress made in that partnership and stressed the importance of the promoting sustainable development, peace, democracy and human rights.
Ending his speech, the Minister invited the participants to visit Burundi to discover its wonders and opportunities. The “Fair Handeln” Fair provides a valuable platform for promoting a fair trade and the strengthen global partnerships in favor of a fair trade during the “Fair Handeln”.