Burundi held it first Consultative Group (CG) meeting in Paris, France, on October 26-27, 2009. The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss the conditions and resources needed in Burundi for economic development, poverty reduction, and sustained peace. Seventy representatives from thirteen countries and eight international organizations attended the meeting, which was hosted by the World Bank.
During the meeting, the Government of Burundi and its international partners made commitments to ensure continued progress in Burundi toward peace and development.
Burundi’s delegation, led by His Excellency Gabriel Ntisezerana, Second Vice President of the Republic of Burundi, discussed progress in implementing its 2006 Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) and presented its medium-term program. The government requested continued support from development partners for PRSP priorities and the peace-building process.
Bilateral and multilateral donors at the CG meeting pledged strong support to Burundi. The government and development partners acknowledged the inter-linkages between security and economic and social development. They agreed that consolidating peace and ensuring free, fair, and credible elections in 2010 are essential conditions for economic growth and poverty reduction.
In concluding the meeting, the World Bank and development partners congratulated the Government of Burundi for its efforts to promote economic development and build peace, and emphasized the need for further reforms, including governance reforms, which would affect positively the volume of foreign aid to Burundi.
