A high-level policy dialogue was organised to share the progress made in the implementation of Rwanda’s Green Growth and Climate Resilience Strategy and provided an opportunity for policymakers to share their experience in encouraging sustainable development and a conducive environment for green investments. Known as “The Rwanda High-Level Green Growth and Climate Resilience Strategy Policy Dialogue & Launch of Rwanda NDC Partnership Plan”, the session marked the outset of the African Green Growth Forum taking place from 26 to 30 November 2018 in Kigali, Rwanda.

Rwanda’s Minister of Environment Vincent Biruta took the opportunity to inform the participants about Rwanda’s impressive position in climate action. In his remarks, Minister Biruta highlighted the key milestones achieved since the establishment of Rwanda’s Green Growth and Climate Resilience Strategy in 2011 including the Rwanda Green Fund and the adoption of Rwanda’s NDC Partnership Plan.

“Rwanda’s Green Growth and Climate Resilience Strategy was adopted in 2011 and remains a ground-breaking piece of policymaking. It was one of the first such documents to be produced anywhere in the world, and it has had a significant impact on Rwanda’s development trajectory,” he said. “Through these dialogues, we have been able to continuously refine and improve the strategy. With the support of UNDP, we recently carried out an evaluation of the strategy that will help to guide today’s discussions. And the outcomes of today’s gathering will provide valuable input into a strategy review that we are undertaking in partnership with UNDP early next year,” Minister added validating the importance of dialogues to promote green growth.

Mr Fodé Ndiaye, the UN Rwanda Resident Coordinator reminded “each of us has a role to play in advancing the GGCRS”. He asked the central and local government officials as well as the public to prioritise low carbon growth, natural resources management and the SDGs.

Mr Ndiaye affirmed UN’s commitment to support countries to achieve these goals. “The UN is committed to supporting all the stakeholders in ensuring Rwanda’s advancement into a middle-income country by 2020, which will be achieved through low carbon domestic energy resources and practices with minimal contribution to climate change.”

In her remarks, Naoko Ishii, the Chief Executive Officer and chairperson at the Global Environment Facility, said that the issue we are facing is more than climate change, and we, as humans, are putting a lot of pressure on the planet. She said that now is the time to change our behaviour and economic model to keep sustainable development going forward. She also underscored the need to work together to achieve climate resilience.

Speaking at this important event, Frank Rijsberman, the Director General of Global Green Growth Institute, talked about the urgency of green growth to the whole world and highlighted key green initiatives in Rwanda including the soon to be green certified Bugesera International Airport and the Rwanda Green Fund, and he concluded with a word of hope for much greener future.

The high-level policy dialogue featured a roundtable discussion with firestarters in efforts to advance implementation of the GGCRS, African perspectives on GGCR and linkages with Agenda 2063.

Moderated by Dir David King, the panellists included Kampeta Pitchette Sayinzoga, Director General at National Industrial Research in Rwanda, Gerardine Mukeshimana, Rwanda’s Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources, Edward Kyazze, Urbanisation Division Manager at Rwanda’s Ministry of Infrastructure, Dr Belay Begashaw, Director General of Sustainable Development Goals Centre for Africa and Stephen Anthony Rodriques, UNDP Country Director in Rwanda.

The panel was moderated by Sir David King. “What we decide to do for the next ten years will determine the future for humanity for the future 10,000 years”. During the event, participants had a chance to interact with panellists through questions and answers.

The event also covered the launch of Rwanda’s NDC Partnership Plan to ratify the Paris Agreement. Speaking at the event, Pablo Vieira, Global Director of the NDC Partnership Support Unit, recognised Rwanda’s vision to be a Climate Resilient country by the year 2050 and all the endeavours that have been brought into achieving that future. He thanked Rwanda for its engagement and commitment with the partnership and highlighted his hope that this plan will boost Rwanda’s efforts in realising the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.

“My hope is that the NDC partnership plan will help us to build the Rwanda which is clean, green and climate resilient as we build a bright future,” said Hon. Vincent Biruta as he was concluding the dialogue.