Conference of Burundi’s Development Partners – opening session

Monsieur le Vice-président du Burundi,
Monsieur l’Ambassadeur Seger [Président de la Configuration Burundi de la Commission de Consolidation de la Paix]
Mesdames et Messieurs les ambassadeurs,
Mesdames et Messieurs,

C’est avec grand plaisir que nous accueillons aujourd’hui la Conférence des partenaires au développement du Burundi. Votre présence, nombreuse, démontre de l’engagement collectif pour un développement durable du Burundi, ce que les Nations Unies soutiennent. J’aimerais remercier tous les partenaires qui ont travaillé main dans la main pour que cette conférence voie le jour.

C’est la première fois qu’une telle Conférence se déroule à Genève. Le Burundi, qui était déjà l’un des premiers pays au programme de la Commission de consolidation de la paix, montre de nouveau le chemin avec des approches novatrices. Il vise ainsi à rapprocher le plus grand nombre d’acteurs dont le but est d’assurer une vie meilleure à la
population du Burundi. Je ne peux dès lors que saluer et soutenir cette initiative!

Geneva serves as an important platform for peacebuilding. With its unparalleled presence of different stakeholders – Governments, international organizations, civil society, research and academia, and the private sector – Geneva provides opportunities for cross-cutting solutions. Geneva links to the field, links policy and research and links different thematic sectors. The United Nations Office at Geneva supports this work through its participation in the Geneva Peacebuilding Platform.

I appreciate that Burundi and its development partners have decided to benefit from these strengths by hosting the Conference here.

In this connection, let me extend a special thank you to our Host Country, Switzerland, which together with other Member States and the United Nations family, has played a central role in organizing this meeting and in bringing it to Geneva. We also greatly appreciate Switzerland’s continued support for the peacebuilding work in Geneva. We often speak of connecting better the efforts in Geneva and New York. This meeting is a very practical way of showing the value of doing that. I welcome that both the policy expertise and practical experience of peacebuilders in Geneva can feed into your debates.

I am particularly encouraged by the participation of private sector partners. As reported by the World Bank, 90% of jobs in developing countries are in the private sector. Businesses generate jobs, services, goods and economic growth that are indispensable for long-term stability and development. We need to build both resilient institutions and resilient economies, based on respect for the rule of law, for peace to take root.

I wish you successful discussions today and look forward to the continued work in Geneva in support of peace across the world.

Thank you for your attention.