PRESS RELEASE - 9 December 2005
UNESCO-IHE and Burundi explore cooperation prospects in capacity building for water management
The president of Burundi, Pierre Nkurunziza, accompanied by the Ambassador to The Netherlands and a delegation from the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs visited UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education in Delft. During the visit UNESCO-IHE and the African leader discussed the most efficient ways in which both parties may co-operate in capacity building for water management and sustainable development.
UNESCO-IHE director Richard Meganck underlined the importance of multilateral co-operation in combating poverty and the need for qualified professionals to contribute to the optimization of water resources, environment and agriculture.
Mr. Nkurunziza met some UNESCO-IHE participants with whom he talked about water challenges. He expressed his support to UNESCO-IHE activities and his determination to chance upon the opportunity for specific collaboration in projects, research, education, knowledge management and network activities undertaken by UNESCO-IHE.
Mr. Pierre Nkurunziza is president of Burundi since 22 August 2005.
Since 2003, the Netherlands has been involved in the Burundi peace process. It sponsored the electoral process and it has allocated development assistance resources.