Secretary-General, in Message, Hails Conference on Burundi as Essential Step

towards Ensuring Recommendations of Geneva Conference Are Implemented

 

Following is UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s message, delivered by Parfait Onanga-Anyanga, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Burundi, to the first Sectoral Conference for Burundi, in Bujumbura, on 15 July:

I am pleased to send greetings to all participants at this important Conference.  The United Nations family joins me in reaffirming our support for your laudable efforts to fight poverty and promote inclusive growth for the people of Burundi.

Nearly nine months ago, in an historic turning point, the Conference of Development Partners in Geneva pledged to strengthen the mutual commitment between Burundi and its partners to realize a vision for growth, peace and development contained in the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper II.  The Government of Burundi reaffirmed its determination to continue pursuing the consolidation of democracy, reconciliation and respect for human rights while working resolutely to strengthen good governance and to promote economic growth for shared prosperity.

I am grateful to the Government for organizing this Conference, which is an essential step forward in our common efforts to ensure that the Geneva commitments are realized.  I also thank Burundi’s partners for their engagement, which reflects an important degree of international solidarity.

Today, more than ever, Burundi needs support.  The country has already progressed along the long and difficult path towards peace and sustainable development.  Now, all stakeholders must come together to implement the recommendations of the Geneva Conference.  The State holds primary responsibility for upholding its commitments, but civil society, the private sector, religious and local communities and development partners must all play their part.  The engagement of women and youth is especially critical to success.

Together, we can help Burundi to fight poverty, generate employment, promote fair economic growth, participate in regional integration and reinforce the State while protecting the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all citizens.

Let us use this important gathering to recommit ourselves to building a more secure, stable and prosperous future for the people of Burundi.

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For information media • not an official record