• Fri. Mar 29th, 2024

A mini-round table on official development assistance has been opened

ByWebmaster

Dec 14, 2021

BUJUMBURA December 13th (ABP) – The President of the Republic of Burundi, Mr. Evariste Ndayishimiye, opened, on Friday, December 10, 2021, in the Ntare Rushatsi House, a mini-round table on official development assistance. The activity was organized by the government of Burundi and saw the participation of the Prime Minister, members of the government, representatives of diplomatic and consular corps accredited in Burundi, representatives of United Nations agencies, representatives of international development banks, representatives of international organizations and others.

During his opening address, the Head of State first recalled what motivated the organization of that mini-round table.

According to President Ndayishimiye, it was noted during the national forum on the development of Burundi, held from November 18 to 19, 2021 in Bujumbura, that even if Burundi benefits from several supports and interventions of its traditional technical and financial partners and international organizations, their real impact on the socio-economic development of the country remains to be proven.

He pointed out that while there are some results already achieved, there is still a long way to go. He explained that our country still registers homelessness, cases of malnutrition and opportunistic diseases due to the lack of drinking water in some corners.

The Head of State added that reported deficiencies in education and health, and other phenomena, explain that the progress indicators are still in red.

During that mini-round table, Mr. Ndayishimiye specified that they will analyze together the gaps that the government of Burundi and its partners have, so that the capital already committed to development, is well oriented and well managed for the benefit of the well-being of Burundian citizens.

The Head of State did not forget to mention that it would be hypocrisy against the people of Burundi, if a country like Burundi still remains on the list of the poorest countries on the planet, while it has benefited from development aid for years, adding that available funding already stands at around 2 billion US dollars.

                                                                                                                                                      View of the participants

He hoped that this mini-round table would help improve the effectiveness of aid, especially existing funding, and the performance of existing and future development projects, supported by technical and financial partners.

He added that everything should be done to ensure that funds never again get canceled because of the incompetence, unwillingness and corruption of some individuals.

The Head of State subsequently informed the technical and financial partners that he is grateful for their indispensable and essential contribution in the implementation of all government programs.

President Ndayishimiye also stressed that their action must be coordinated, arguing that one of the reasons for the delay in the economic start in Burundi is certainly the poor performance in the coordination of official development assistance, despite the efforts made by the government and its partners since 2010.

He also informed the participants in the said meeting that the strategic development studies bureau, a body based in the Office of the President, has just been reformed to include a unit responsible for coordinating aid.

It worth noting that the actual round table on development aid will be organized next year.