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Bujumbura, Burundi. The Ministry of Environment, Agriculture and Livestock of the Republic of Burundi, with support from Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI), launched the Research Centre Office in Environment and Health Studies (BESCE) in Bujumbura, Burundi.
Bujumbura city in Burundi, East Africa.
Photo: Darryl Neeley / Getty Images.
The ministry-hosted research centre will address the critical issue of air pollution in Burundi, focusing on immediate and long-term solutions that will benefit individuals, communities, and the country. BESCE’s mission is to reduce air pollution levels, improve public health, protect ecosystems and drive sustainable development.
Speaking during a workshop on the state of air quality in Burundi that preceded the launch, the Minister for Environment, Agriculture and Livestock, Prosper Dodiko, said:
The newly launched BESCE office comes at the right time since air pollution is a concern at the global level and even at the national level. It will provide us with data on the level of pollution in different localities in the country. This data will allow us to take downstream actions to address the issue or mitigate the problem of air pollution.
Prosper Dodiko, the Minister for Environment, Agriculture and Livestock
His speech was read by Christian Nimubona who is the General Director of Environment, Water Resources and Sanitation.
In Burundi, little is known about the levels of indoor and outdoor air pollution. Efforts are underway to achieve the related targets in the objectives by 2030 as set out in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS) to significantly reduce the number of deaths and illnesses caused by hazardous chemicals, pollution and contamination of air, water, and soil. Satellite data shows that the concentration of PM2.5 in Bujumbura is currently about 3.3 times higher than the WHO annual air quality guideline value.
While speaking at the workshop SEI’s Executive Director, Måns Nilsson, underscored SEI’s commitment to partner with Burundi’s Ministry of Environment, Agriculture and Health in strengthening scientific capacity in environmental management to enable Burundi to address the triple planetary crisis of climate change, pollution and waste, and biodiversity loss, while working to meet the development goals envisioned in Burundi’s Vision 2040 and Vision 2060.
Through our work to promote integrated planning and policy actions to tackle air pollution and climate change, SEI will support Burundi to identify the most suitable policy measures that help the country meet both the climate goals as contained in their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and also air pollution reduction targets by providing training to the technical staff and researchers on the use and application of SEI’s low emission analysis platform (LEAP).
Måns Nilsson, Executive Director of SEI
On his part, SEI Africa Centre Director Philip Osano said:
SEI is looking forward to support Burundi to strengthen the country’s capacity in environmental data and air quality monitoring. Indeed, Burundi’s Vision 2040 is a testament to the nation’s commitment to addressing environmental pollution comprehensively, with a focus on public health, environmental sustainability and economic growth.
Philip Osano, SEI Africa Centre Director
“This vision inspires hope and unites all Burundians in their shared responsibility to achieve clean air, a healthier nation, and a sustainable future while setting an example as a nation committed to a sustainable and prosperous future,” Philip Osano continued.
After the workshop, SEI and BESCE signed a MOU to guide their engagement on the various areas of collaboration. Philip Osano signed on behalf of SEI while Georges Nsengiyumva, Director of BESCE, signed on behalf of the organization.
SEI in partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the management of Melchior Ndadaye International Airport installed one air quality monitoring sensor. A further 11 air quality monitoring sensors were provided to be installed in areas identified by the Ministry of Environment, Agriculture and Livestock. Through this, Burundi will join other African countries that have taken the important step of dealing with the health effects that bad air quality brings and actively seeking to combat it. With determination, innovation and collaboration, Burundi is poised to create a cleaner and healthier environment for Burundians today and for generations to come. In this vision, the health and well-being of every Burundian is safeguarded, and our ecosystems thrive.
The Ministry of Environment, Agriculture and Livestock of the Republic of Burundi relies on the services of the central administration, in particular the Coordination of the Minister’s Cabinet, the Permanent Secretariat, and the General Inspectorate. To this is added the General Directorates, namely the General Directorate of Agricultural Planning and Livestock, whose mission is to support the Permanent Secretariat in its function to coordinate the development of projects and programs for the development of the sector of agriculture and livestock.
Press release / An Integrated Assessment of Air Pollution and Climate Change for Sustainable Development in Africa released today at COP27.
Past event / SEI and partners will hold a high-level policy dialogue on bioeconomy themed “National bioeconomy strategies: paving the future growth path for Eastern Africa”.
Past event / We join Burundi in a workshop to address air pollution focusing on immediate and long-term solutions that will benefit individuals, communities, and the nation.
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