From 28^th May 2022, the Rwanda Environment Management Authority and partners started a whole week of activities – the National Environment Week – aimed at raising awareness on environmental sustainability.

The National Environment Week precede the celebration of the World Environment Day, which is celebrated annually on 5^th June.

Inspections in the mining sector, dissemination workshops for Rwanda’s first Biennial Update Report under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) 2021 and the 6th State of Environment Report and Outlook in Higher Learning Institutions, as well as field visits to engage Civil Society and Non-Governmental Organizations with Environment and Climate change projects to learn from each other’s best practices are among many other activities carried out in the National environment week.

The National Environment Week started on 28^th May 2022 with the National Community Work (Umuganda) which happened countrywide apart from Kigali due to changes at the City of Kigali level.

“The message on why we need to take care of the Environment was clearly delivered from district level to village level. We Particularly appreciate the Ministry of Local Government for having dedicated the community work to Environment Community work. That shows us how environment and climate change is important for all of us” said Juliet Kabera, Director General, Rwanda Environment Management Authority.

Apart from dissemination workshops and mining inspection, mobilization and awareness campaign were also conducted in Bugesera District where REMA officials and partners met with “Imboni z’Ibidukikije” – a group of young people committed to protect and advocate for the environment.

"We appreciate the way you are committed to protect environment. The Environment is for all of us, we must protect nature so it protects us as well. We must live in harmony with the environment by using the natural resources sustainably” Kabera added.

Rwanda joins the rest of the world every year on 5^th of June to celebrate the World Environment Day (WED) established by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly as one of the principal vehicles through which the UN raises global awareness about the environment and climate change issues as well as motivate people to take positive environmental actions.

The WED is a good opportunity to build upon the success made in environmental management towards green growth and climate change resilience in Rwanda.

This year WED was celebrated under the theme “Only One Earth” which focuses on living sustainably in harmony with nature by bringing transformative changes through policies and choices towards cleaner, greener lifestyles. Only One Earth was the motto for the 1972 Stockholm Conference and now 50 years on, the motto holds true. It marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of UNEP as an outcome of the Stockholm Conference and designating 5th June every year as World Environment Day.