The 23rd COMESA Summit of Heads of State and Government and the Meeting of Ministers of Foreign Affairs recently took place in Bujumbura, Burundi from 28th-31st October 2024. This significant event coincided with the celebration of COMESA’s 30th anniversary, marking a milestone for the organization. President Ramkalawan of Seychelles was represented by Ambassador Claude Morel as Special Envoy at the Summit, accompanied by Mrs. Nisha Chengo, Second Secretary.
During the Summit, the outgoing chair, President Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia, received the 2023 COMESA annual report and officially passed on the chairmanship to President Évariste Ndayishimiye of Burundi. The theme of the Summit, “Accelerating Regional Integration through the Development of Regional Value Chains in Climate-Resilient Agriculture, Mining, and Tourism,” guided discussions on key COMESA programs and regional peace and security concerns. The swearing-in of the COMESA Committee of Elders also took place, with Ambassador Marie-Pierre Lloyd in attendance after being re-elected for a second term on the committee.
Ambassador Morel highlighted security challenges faced by island states, focusing on climate resilience and maritime security during the Meeting of Ministers of Foreign Affairs. He emphasized Seychelles’ upcoming Chairmanship of the Contact Group on Illicit Maritime Activities, demonstrating the country’s commitment to addressing piracy and other security threats that impact regional stability. The next Summit is scheduled to be held in Kenya in 2025.
This article was distributed by APO Group on behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Tourism – Foreign Affairs Department, Republic of Seychelles.
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