On Tuesday, August 9, 2022, the new Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium to Ethiopia and Djibouti, and Permanent Representative to the African Union, IGAD, and UNECA H.E. Ambassador Stefaan Thijs, received in audience CAFOR’s Executive Director, Dr. Lawalley Cole, accompanied by CAFOR’s Senior Advisor, Mr. Tshimanga Mukadi-Mutoke. This meeting was the first of Ambassador Thijs’ since his assumption of duties, and he was pleased to have the CAFOR delegation as its first. Dr. Cole expressed his best wishes to the new Ambassador and indicated his delight to be among the first to pay him a courtesy visit. Dr. Cole also briefed the new Ambassador on the programs and activities of CAFOR and spoke about CAFOR’s ten flagship projects and the A.U. policy agendas that CAFOR is promoting at the level of the African continent. The Belgium Ambassador expressed his willingness to work closely with CAFOR and help link the organization with potential partners in Belgium, including non-governmental organizations and other institutions dealing with education matters.

Lawalley Cole, Stefaan Thijs, Tshimanga Mukadi-Mutoke