Lake Victoria Environmental Management Project Phase Two (LVEMP II) is a project implemented by five riparian countries to the Lake Victoria Basin (LVB); namely Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi. In Rwanda, the LVB covers a total surface area of 21,362 km² or 11% of the total area of the LVB (RTDA, 2006) and covers about 90% of the Rwandan surface area (National TDA, 2006). The LVB in Rwanda is defined by the extent of the Akagera River catchment in the country. Rwanda is, therefore, key upstream riparian country with respect to the sustainable management of the LVB natural resources. Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda are already implementing the project since the beginning of the Year 2010. Rwanda will probably be on board in February 2011.

REMA in partnership Minicofin, Minagri, Mininfra, Kist University, NGOs and other involved institutions; held a workshop aiming at validating the thematic draft reports of the Second National Communication under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change - on mitigation of greenhouse gas and vulnerability as well as adaptation assessment in various economic sectors.

The Director General, Dr Rose Mikankomeje opened the session, thanking and congratulating the Rwandan experts who worked on climate change. She reminded that, in Rwanda, we are facing climate change, we are affected, and we can’t wait to react as there some responses and as Rwanda ratified the convention as well as Kyoto protocol.

The purpose of the report is to inform the policies makers as well as different sectors.

Kigali is polluted even if we don’t see it with our eyes, but from the north, we feel the pollution, we see the smoking cars, when we are stuck in traffic jams we breath the pollution from engines, she added.

The DG of REMA invited participants to add value on the work done by experts, to contribute in a positive and construction manner.

On 28 of July, the national project coordinator of PEI (Poverty Environment Initiative), Mr Sabiti as well as the Environmental Educational Officer of EEM department, Mr Djuma Nsanzimana, visited the environment club of Kist University.

The purpose of the visit was to exchange on the awareness of sustainable development.

Former president of the club expressed the gratitude of receiving REMA in KIST University to meet youth, the future decision makers. “Thanks to REMA, we learn a lot on environment issues”, he added as he introduced the visitors.

“What is your footprint”

Footprint, sustainable development, mainstreaming, are the terms explained by Djuma, EEM officer: if we live unsustainable way, we raise footprint. Mainstreaming is a policy to raise awareness so that we opt for solutions that don’t harm our society, economy and environment. That is why education is the essential key for sustainable development.

“Supporting Integrated and comprehensive Approaches to Climate Change Adaptation in Africa-Building a comprehensive national approach in Rwanda (AAP),

-Reducing Vulnerability to Climate Change by Establishing Early Warning and Disaster Preparedness System and Support for Integrated Watershed Management in Flood Prone Areas (LDCF)”

REMA held a two days workshop (27-28 July 2010) at Laico Hotel in Kigali. The Director General of REMA, Dr Rose Mukankomeje opened the session and introduced two projects. In the presence of his Excellency the Ambassador of Japan in Rwanda Hatanaka, she expressed her acknowledgements to the Government of Japan which is the sponsor of the projects and whose partnership is of a great importance.

 DG of REMA emphasized the impacts of climate change in Rwanda, the emergency state of Gishwati forest as well as lake Karago. “We should reduce impact by using green technologies, stop emitting Green House Gases, put efforts together. With climate change, we don’t know what will happen tomorrow, and there is no sustainable development if we put environment aside”, she added.