BUJUMBURA December 21st (ABP) – The Prime Minister of the Republic of Burundi, Mr. Gervais Ndirakobuca, closed on Saturday December 16, 2023, at the town hall of Bujumbura, the work of the second edition of the continental dialogue on youth, peace and security in Africa, the youth forum of the member countries of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) and parties to the framework agreement for peace, security and cooperation for the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the week dedicated to innovation under the central theme “Political dialogue on youth, peace and security”.
That activity was organized jointly by the Ministry of Youth, in collaboration with the National Youth Council and the Youth Economic Empowerment and Employment Program (PAEEJ), under funding from the United Nations Youth Program. development (UNDP).
In his speech, Prime Minister Ndirakobuca indicated that issues related to the promotion of entrepreneurship and innovation and those related to the consolidation of peace and security are of great importance for the present and the future. future of life.
He recalled that the African continent has, since February 2023, awarded the President of the Republic of Burundi the title of “Friend of young people and Champion of the African Union agenda for peace and security for his leading role it plays in the implementation of the Youth, Peace and Security Agenda at all levels: national, continental and regional.
Mr. Ndirakobuca, on that occasion, declared that the results of the second edition of the Continental Dialogue on Youth, Peace and Security, combined with the Youth Forum on the implementation of the framework agreement as well as the third edition of the week dedicated to innovation will help young Africans in general and young Burundians in particular to assume their responsibilities regarding the construction of an East Africa.
He further noted that the Burundians see that as an expression of the gratitude felt by African countries for the role that Burundi has already played in the service of peace, security and development of all of Africa in general and the Great Lakes Region in particular.
“We must absolutely ensure the effective participation of African Youth in the efforts made to consolidate Peace and Security if we want an Africa built on the aspirations set out in Agenda 2063,” underlined the Burundian Prime Minister, specifying that it is a duty and an imperative from which no African country can escape.
The Prime Minister called on the young people present to be actors and fervent advocates of the essential contribution of African youth to the success of the consolidation of peace and security, and to contribute to entrepreneurship and innovation across the continent.
Speaking, the Minister responsible for Youth, Mr. Gervais Abayeho, specified that the young people who participated in that fair demonstrated that they have talents and strengths which, united, will propel all African people towards a prosperous Africa, based on inclusive growth and sustainable development; an integrated Africa, with the rule of law, good governance, respectful of human rights; an Africa with a strong cultural identity and whose place in the concert of nations is appreciated at its true value.
“I have the firm confidence that that meeting was an opportunity to demonstrate that African youth have innovative ideas for the socio-economic development of the continent with a view to achieving the flagship programs of Agenda 2063, in particular the implementation effective implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (ZLECAF)”, said Minister Abayeho. He also called on young innovators to exploit their talents to contribute to the development of the country, their empowerment and the reduction of unemployment through job creation.
Minister Abayeho paid tribute to the President of the Republic of Burundi, Friend of Youth and Champion of the African Union Agenda for Peace and Security, who spares no effort in carrying out the mission assigned to him.
Note that that third edition of the innovation fair for young people entitled “Innovation week 2023” closed with the awarding of prizes to the 10 young people who were selected from more than 600 candidates who submitted their projects to participate in that competition. dedicated to innovation. Each selected young person received an envelope of 10 million Burundian Francs (BIF).