The eighth bilateral consultation between Flanders and Malawi took place in Lilongwe on 17 November.

Flanders has been active in Malawi since 2007. Every five years a country strategy paper is drawn up which gives direction to the cooperation between both governments. The third, and current, Country Strategy Paper runs until the end of 2023, and focuses entirely on the agricultural sector.

At this bilateral consultation, the recommendations of the mid-term review of the cooperation programme were discussed. These recommendations, together with the Malawi Government's policy plans, form the basis for the fourth Country Strategy Paper 2024-2028. The strategic objectives for 2024-2028 were outlined in consultation with stakeholders and approved by both sides during the meeting. In the coming months, these will provide the basis for the development of the fourth Country Strategy Paper, which will continue to focus on the agricultural sector with additional emphasis on climate-smart agriculture and strengthening the local economy and commercial farming.