Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Burundi
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Development Cooperation organized the diplomatic week, 2024 Edition from 27th to 30th June, 2024 under the theme: “The promotion of Tourism, one of the pillars of Economic Diplomacy with a view to the effective implementation of the vision of a Burundi emerging in 2040 and developed in 2060.” The opening activities of that week were enhanced by His Excellency Ambassador Albert SHINGIRO, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Development Cooperation, on the 27 June 2024, at the Hotel Club du Lac Tanganyika.
For the second day, the activities were enhanced by Ambassador Bernard NTAHIRAJA who represented the Minister, His Excellency Ambassador Albert SHINGIRO who was not available.
The activities began in the morning with a visit to the agro pastoral company with more than 5 years of experience called LIFEWAY Company. In the afternoon, a visit was organized to Gitega province to the drum sanctuary at Gishora. That sanctuary is located on the top of Gishora hill and Giheta commune, at 7 km from the town of Gitega. The Burundian drummer’s performance was a very enriching experience due to the thunderous beating, acrobatic twists and jumps of the drummers and the synchronization of the entire team, which gives a sense of the strong culture, the national pride and the unity of the Burundian people. The famous drums of Burundi, the cultural and intangible heritage of humanity are inscribed in golden letters at UNESCO.
On the morning of June 29th, 2024, the participants visited the Kibira National Park which is at 50 km from the city of Bujumbura and the activities of the diplomatic week, 2024 edition ended at the Green Park Ressort Hotel on the Bugarama Hill of Muramvya Commune.
The Dean of the Diplomatic Corps His Excellency Ambassador Mathieu Kyali Gonza, Ambassador of the Republic of Uganda to Burundi, expressed his thanks to His Excellency Ambassador Albert SHINGIRO and all the staff of the Ministry, for organizing that event and inviting them to share the memorable trips and learning experiences organized each year. He also thanked all the Diplomats who were present. He pointed out that the diplomatic week has become an annual event and the theme of that year’s diplomatic week is very relevant. The promotion of tourism is an essential pillar of the economic development. Finally, he reiterated the commitment of the respective diplomatic missions and international organizations accredited in Burundi to build the lasting relations with Burundi, in a way that will benefit the country’s citizens.
In his closing remarks, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Development Cooperation Mr Ferdinand BASHIKAKO expressed his joy at having accomplished the mission, he started by giving thanks to the Almighty Lord who watched over the entire delegation throughout that diplomatic activity. He thanked all the guests who were able to respond to the invitation and reminded them that Burundi is celebrating its 62nd anniversary of its Independence on July 1st, 2024. The Permanent Secretary finally encouraged the Diplomats to often visit Burundi and deeply to better know it, love it, and support it in the implementation of its National Vision: “Burundi emerged in 2040 and developed in 2060”. The activities ended with the sharing of a lunch in total joy of the participants.