Rwanda has on June 5, 2023 joined the rest of the World to mark the World Environment Day (WED 2023), which is marked with the theme Beat Plastic Pollution to refocus attention on solutions to plastic pollution. 

The World Environment Day celebration concludes a number of activities to encourage all Rwandans to be champions in the fight against plastic pollution, carried out in the National Environment Week marked from May 27 to June 5, 2023.

The week was launched with a monthly community work (Umuganda), where Rwandans across Rwanda joined hands to collect plastic waste in the environment. A number of inspections to enforce the ban on single-use plastics and run an awareness campaign to inform about the dangers of plastic pollution and the alternatives available were also carried out. 

Among other activities carried out during the National Environment Week include a “No to Single use plastic Car Free Day, School debates, public lectures in higher learning institutions as well as the Environment Protection and Climate Justice Gala Night at the French Cultural Centre, all focused on beating plastic pollution.

“Through the High Ambition Coalition to End Plastic Pollution - that Rwanda co-chairs with Norway - we have rallied more than 55 countries from all regions of the world to call for an ambitious agreement to end plastic pollution by 2040. We have just returned from the second round of negotiations in Paris, and while the process is challenging, we are confident we can develop a treaty that will be effective and fit for purpose” said Juliet Kabera, Director General, Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA). 

Kabera added that if done right, the treaty can create well-paying green jobs, attract greater investment in circular businesses and facilitate the adoption of new technologies in plastic production and waste management. 

At today's World Environment Day celebration, local companies have showcased their solutions to plastic pollution in an exhibition organised in line with this year’s World Environment Day theme. 

Rwanda also launched the revised Green Growth and Climate Resilience Strategy that will define a development pathway for Rwanda that is climate resilient and harnesses green economic innovation. The strategy has been updated to align with vision 2050 and will serve as Rwanda’s long-term strategy for low-emissions development.