BUJUMBURA, October 30th (ABP) – The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Development Cooperation of Burundi (MAECD), Albert Shingiro, proceeded, on Tuesday, October 29, 2024, to the solemn opening of the 19th meeting of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA). The meeting was organized ahead of the 23rd Summit of COMESA Heads of State and Government under the central theme: “Accelerating regional integration through the development of regional value chains in climate resilient agriculture, mining and tourism”.
In his welcoming speech, Ambassador Albert Shingiro said that this theme is in line with the vision that aims to make Burundi an emerging country by 2040 and a developed country in 2060.
“COMESA is our child that we have seen born and grown since 1994, is already 30 years old. It has gained maturity and experience. Our common child arouses as much admiration as covetousness. It is our pride to all of us. As an adult, it is dynamic even if it evolves in a difficult, complex and restrictive geo-political-strategic environment,” Albert Shingiro pointed out.
He did not fail to emphasize that within COMESA, they have made the bet to make this Community the most integrated, dynamic, united and supportive for the good of the populations, sharing broadly the same aspirations and the same challenges.
Despite the persistent challenges that are not specific to the common organization, COMESA has taken a step forward with the creation of the COMESA-EAC-SADC Tripartite Free Trade Area, which is in line with the goals of the African Continental Free Trade Area.
“All in all, this creation of the Tripartite Free Trade Area aims to boost trade, investment and the movement of capital, not only in our member countries but also throughout Africa; a continent which, according to him, remains the weak link in world trade with a share below 5% in world trade and less than 15% of intra-African trade,” he said.
“Peace must therefore be the cornerstone of the Governance Programme. However, we want to see our countries emerge, develop and our populations flourish. This is why we must campaign for stability as the key to development in all its dimensions and manifestations. We must address the root causes of conflicts, through the fight against poverty, the promotion of good governance, job creation and access to financing for young people and women,” Albert Shingiro stressed.
In her address, COMESA Secretary General Chileshe Kapwepwe said that the meeting is being held in Bujumbura to assess the peace and security situation in our region. On the interventions of the peace and security programme, Kapwepwe said that the COMESA Secretariat has made progress in implementing various programme activities, in the context of strengthening early warning capacities, addressing the root causes of conflicts, supporting conflict prevention and management, combating violent extremism and terrorism, combating money laundering and the financing of terrorism and contributing to post-conflict reconstruction and development, the COMESA Secretary General said.
She further added that progress has also been made in managing climate change risks to peace and security, promoting youth engagement in peace and security, addressing the needs of children affected by armed conflict, as well as election observation and support for democratic governance.
The COMESA Secretary General took the opportunity to remind everyone to do their utmost to strengthen peace, tighten security and stability in that community, stressing that this is a collective responsibility to be honored.
It is worthy to recall that this meeting was held in camera.
