The Governments of Malawi and Scotland have signed a joint agreement for cooperative working: A Global Goals Partnership.

Malawi and Scotland have had very close links where the great Scottish explorer Dr David Livingstone helped to fight slavery: Malawi Slave Routes and Dr. David Livingstone Trail

The President of Malawi,  Peter Mutharika is visiting Scotland until 26th April. The Scottish Government has been supporting educational medical programmes to develop health services in Malawi: Helping to Train Psychiatrists in Malawi and Empowering People: Enhancing Development .

The joint agreement between Scotland and Malawi commits both governments to development cooperation across areas such as health, education, human rights, governance and social enterprise.

It is set out in a Global Goals Agreement and includes a Memorandum of Understanding.

Nicola Sturgeon, First Minister of Scotland  said:

“Scotland and Malawi have historical and enduring ties of friendship and cooperation. We have committed today to maintain this relationship and partnership in the future.

“Thirteen years since our governments first formally approved a development cooperation agreement, I am pleased we have the opportunity to update it to reflect our commitment to the UN Global Goals, and to each other, in the signing of a new Global Goals Partnership Agreement.

Andrew Namakhoma, Chair of the Malawi Scotland Partnership, said:

“With the signing of the new Cooperation Agreement comes the assurance of a strong people-to-people model of development which will see the two governments and civil society groups working towards equitable social development. Thanks to the two governments for championing the model.”