Isabelle BERRO-AMADEÏ on a working visit to Burundi

This visit provided an opportunity to highlight the actions of Monaco’s Cooperation in the country and to strengthen ties with the Burundian authorities. Prior to this visit, on the sidelines of the 19th Francophonie Summit in Villers-Cotterêts (France), Isabelle BERRO-AMADEI had signed a Framework Cooperation Agreement with her Burundian counterpart, H.E. Albert SHINGIRO, on October 5. The agreement aims to deepen the relationship of friendship and cooperation with Burundi, a long-standing partner of Monaco’s Cooperation. Guided by the desire to contribute to the country’s national development priorities, the Princely Government thus formalized its commitment to support the Burundian Government.

This first ministerial-level visit to the country also allowed the renewal of the partnership between Monaco and the World Food Programme (WFP), which implements the National School Feeding Program in Burundi. As a result, 82,000 children from 100 schools in three provinces of the country will benefit from hot, nutritious meals prepared with local products as part of a pilot project for school canteens of excellence.
The Monegasque delegation also visited partners and beneficiaries across the country. These visits provided a comprehensive overview of the projects supported by the Princely Government in Burundi, focusing on Monaco’s four areas of cooperation: health, food security, education and child protection, and access to decent work. Meetings took place with Burundian civil society (FVS – Amie des Enfants), international NGOs (Comunità di Sant’Egidio, Libraries Without Borders, WeWorld-GVC, FXB International), and UN agencies (World Food Programme, UNHCR, UN Women).

Finally, since Monegasque civil society is also involved in Burundi, the delegation was able to visit projects led or previously supported by Monaco’s International Solidarity Organizations, such as Fight Aids, Peace and Sport, or the World Association of Children’s Friends. This association was also present at the 10th-anniversary celebration of the “Amie des Enfants” school in Matana, an inclusive education project supported by Monaco’s Cooperation, dedicated to orphans and vulnerable children.

It is worth noting that Burundi, which faces multiple vulnerabilities (climate change, difficult socio-economic conditions, food insecurity, poverty), has been one of Monaco’s 11 partner countries since 2008. The Princely Government supports many national priorities there through its programming, such as school canteens, education for repatriated children, and community health. Monaco has had an Honorary Consul in Bujumbura since 2012, Mrs. Spès NIHANGAZA, and Monaco’s Cooperation has recently recruited a Country Coordinator, Mr. Joseph NSABIYUMVA.