Ireland’s Minister of State for International Development and the Diaspora, Neale Richmond, begins a three-day official visit to Mozambique this Wednesday (11), coinciding with the celebrations of St Patrick’s Day and the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
According to Lusa, the visit takes place at a time when Mozambique remains one of the main destinations of Ireland’s bilateral cooperation. Under the current strategic cooperation cycle, running from 2025 to 2030, the Irish Embassy in Maputo plans to mobilise around 175 million dollars to finance development programmes in the country.
Ahead of the trip, Neale Richmond highlighted the evolution of the bilateral partnership over the past three decades and reaffirmed his government’s commitment to continue supporting Mozambique’s development efforts, particularly in reducing poverty, tackling inequalities and strengthening institutions.
“This year marks the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Ireland and Mozambique. When we opened our embassy in Maputo in 1996, the country was emerging from a devastating civil war. Despite the challenges, Mozambique has recorded progress and sustained growth over the past decades,” the Irish official said.
During the visit, the minister is expected to hold bilateral meetings with government representatives, as well as with civil society organisations and development experts. The agenda also includes visits to projects funded by Irish cooperation in the province of Inhambane.
Among the initiatives is the Maxixe Rural Hospital, where Richmond will observe the impact of Irish-supported programmes in maternal and child health and sexual and reproductive health. He will also visit the 1 de Junho Primary School in the same city to follow the construction of educational infrastructure designed to withstand climate shocks.
The programme in Inhambane also includes a visit to the International Potato Center (CIP), where projects are being implemented to improve food systems and increase agricultural productivity among smallholder farmers, with direct impact on food security and community nutrition.
In Maputo, Richmond is also expected to visit the paediatric oncology unit at Maputo Central Hospital, where a partnership with the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) has helped improve survival rates for children with cancer.
The official visit will also include a cultural component. The Irish traditional music group Cnoc na Gaoithe is in Maputo for the St Patrick’s Day celebrations and will perform at several venues in the capital. A joint concert with the Xiquitsi Orchestra is scheduled at the Franco-Mozambican Cultural Centre, reinforcing cultural exchanges between the two countries.
Source: Diário Económico
