The African Development Bank (AfDB) Group President, Donald Kaberuka, has reaffirmed AfDB support to the Great Lakes Region and the region's eleven countries at the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) taking place in Bujumbura, Burundi, where the AfDB is attending as a member of the conference and a bilateral partner.

Mr. Kaberuka said the region had, to an extent, mitigated the impact of the global crisis, adding that the implementation of the conference's peace, security, stability and development agenda should offer great prospects.

It will be more beneficial to carry out ICGLR projects within the framework of a coherent action within existing regional economic communities and development institutions, he said.

Citing the many initiatives and facilities established by the AfDB, Mr. Kaberuka underscored, in particular, the Fragile States Facility that is already benefiting some ICGLR countries such as Burundi.

He made a special appeal for youths, calling for more resources to be devoted to education and training. He added that youths constituted the most important segment of the region's population.

The event was opened by Burundi's President, Pierre Nkurunziza, in the presence of Zambian President and ICGLR Current Chairperson, Rupiah Banda, and Kenya's Vice President, Kalonzo Musyoka.

Contacts

Lotfi Madani