BUJUMBURA, November 7th (ABP) – The 23rd summit of heads of state and government of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) was held on Thursday October 31, 2024 at the Kiriri presidential palace. During the summit, the President of the Republic of Burundi, Evariste Ndayishimiye, took over the presidency of that regional economic community.
The theme of the summit was “Accelerating regional integration through the development of regional value chains in climate-resilient agriculture, mining and tourism”.
The ceremonies were attended by various authorities from COMESA member countries, including five heads of state: Felix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo of DR Congo, William Samoei Ruto of Kenya, Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia, Andry Rajoelina of Madagascar and Taye Atske Selassie of Ethiopia.
In his opening address, Hakainde Hichilema, President of the Republic of Zambia and outgoing Chairman of COMESA, said the summit underscored COMESA’s commitment to strengthening economic collaboration between its members in the face of climate and economic challenges.
On the same occasion, the baton was passed from outgoing COMESA President Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia to incoming President Evariste Ndayishimiye of the Republic of Burundi.
In his pledge speech, President Ndayishimiye encouraged COMESA member states to mobilize resources to achieve regional objectives, and announced that short-stay visas would be waived for COMESA member countries wishing to come to Burundi, in order to speed up integration.
On that occasion, President Ndayishimiye pointed out that the agricultural and mining sectors provide and generate income, but remain under-exploited.
He therefore called on COMESA member countries to work in synergy to boost food security and stimulate growth.
“The 23rd COMESA Summit is therefore seen as a decisive step towards achieving those ambitions, and Burundi is committed to working in collaboration with its neighbours to meet the needs of the population”, he declared.
However, he stressed that COMESA member countries have been invited to adhere to measures aimed at facilitating the movement of people within the region. That strategy will help to strengthen relations between member countries, thereby promoting the exchange of goods and services.
The ceremonies ended with the reading of the final communiqué, which followed a closed-door meeting of COMESA Heads of State and Delegation.