In 2010, countries agreed to create a 10-year plan, sub-divided into 20 targets, for protecting and conserving natural systems. The plan, also known as the Aichi Biodiversity Targets, expires at the end of the year and globally most of the targets will not have been reached.

In Rwanda out of the 19 national targets identified in the country’s revised NBSAP (2016-2020); 1 was on track to exceed target 12 were on track to achieve target and 6 showed progresses but at an insufficient rate

• The population of large mammals (elephants, giraffes, buffaloes) has declined significantly due to poaching pressure and loss of habitat.

• The black rhino which had been extinct in Rwanda, has been reintroduced. A reintroduction programme since 2016 has resulted in the 21 animals being brought in since 2016 (16 in 2016 and 5 in 2018). One of the rhinos is reported to have calved while one of the translocated rhinos died. Lions are also being restocked into the Akagera National Park after a 10-year absence.

• The Mountain Gorilla population has continued to increase and is stable. According to the most recent surveys of its population, it is estimated that there are now at least 1,004 individuals, demonstrated that about 60 percent of the population is likely mature based on a combination of data from known habituated Gorilla groups and population simulations from an agent-based mode (Hickey et al. 2018).

• There has been an increase in the number of primate troops and ungulate populations in Akagera National

Park from 1998 to date.

• The protection of grey crown cranes is a success story as they were rescued from captivity in households and hotels and brought back to their natural environment. A sanctuary was created for them in Umusambi village,a restored wetland. So far 242 cranes have been removed from captivity, of which 166 have been reintroduced to the Akagera National Park (RWCA, 2021).

• Programmes are in place to promote in-situ and ex-situ conservation of plants and animal varieties. Guidelines on Access and Benefit-sharing (ABS) have been formulated

• The Country has fully achieved one of its Vision 2020 target of increasing forest cover to 30% of its total land area. The current forest cover according to a 2019 forest cover mapping report is 724, 695 ha, (30.4%);
• The continued increase in the population of the Mountain Gorilla, with Rwanda now hosting half of the existing global population (estimated at 1,004 individuals by Hickey et al. 2018;
• The historic re-introduction of 23 Black Rhinos in 2017 & 2019; and 11 lions into Akagera National Park after 10-year absence;
• The tremendous increase in populations of other species such as Eastern Chimpanzee, Golden Monkeys, and the Grey Crowned Cranes; • Continued growth of tourism with a significant part of it being nature based. In 2019 alone, a total of 400 million USD was realised.
• Rwanda’ National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) developed in 2016, has given considerable impetus to biodiversity conservation and sustainable development in Rwanda

This was adopted in Montreal, Canada in May 2000. Rwanda signed the Protocol in 2002. The Protocol, among others, spells out the transboundary movement of GMOs resulting from modern biotechnology that may have effects on the conservation and sustainable use of biological resources, and the adoption of the appropriate procedure for Advance Informed Agreement (AIA). In order to fulfill Rwanda’s commitments under the CPB, the Government of Rwanda (GoR) has formulated a draft Biosafety law. Recognizing the complexity of the requirements of safe transfer, movement, handling and use of biotechnology in Rwanda, a national strategy for implementation of biosafety framework was prepared in 2020 to be used by the GoR and other stakeholders as referral guidance .

Access and benefit-sharing (ABS) which refers to the utilization and access of genetic resources and promotion of equitable benefits between users and providers, is a key element of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).

Rwanda has been a Party to the Nagoya Protocol of the Convention on Biodiversity since October 2014 and has made efforts to develop an enabling legal and institutional framework for the implementation of the Protocol. Some of the legal instruments relating to the management of the country’s biodiversity include a draft Ministerial Order governing access to genetic resources and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from their use; the Law n°48/2018 of 13/08/2018 on environment, which determines the modalities of protection, conservation, and promotion of the environment; Law No. 70/2013 of 02/09/2013, which governs biodiversity; and Law No. 31/2009 of 26/10/2009, which enforces protection of intellectual property rights. Rwanda developed its first National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP)  in 2003 and adopted a Biodiversity Policy in 2011 and a Biodiversity Law in 2013.

In 2019, REMA and UNDP with University of Rwanda developed “Guideline and Toolkit for Access and Benefit Sharing of Traditional Knowledge Associated with Genetic Resources in Rwanda”

The “Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework” (GBF) adopted at the 15th meeting of the Conference of Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity, includes four goals and 23 targets to be achieved by 2030.  

The framework has four long-term goals for 2050 related to the 2050 Vision for Biodiversity.

GOAL A

The integrity, connectivity and resilience of all ecosystems are maintained, enhanced, or restored, substantially increasing the area of natural ecosystems by 2050;

Human induced extinction of known threatened species is halted, and, by 2050, extinction rate and risk of all species are reduced tenfold and the abundance of native wild species is increased to healthy and resilient levels;

The genetic diversity within populations of wild and domesticated species, is maintained, safeguarding their adaptive potential.

GOAL B

Biodiversity is sustainably used and managed and nature’s contributions to people, including ecosystem functions and services, are valued, maintained and enhanced, with those currently in decline being restored, supporting the achievement of sustainable development for the benefit of present and future generations by 2050.

GOAL C

The monetary and non-monetary benefits from the utilization of genetic resources, and digital sequence information on genetic resources, and of traditional knowledge associated with genetic resources, as applicable, are shared fairly and equitably, including, as appropriate with indigenous peoples and local communities, and substantially increased by 2050, while ensuring traditional knowledge associated with genetic resources is appropriately protected, thereby contributing to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, in accordance with internationally agreed access and benefit-sharing instruments.

GOAL D

Adequate means of implementation, including financial resources, capacity-building, technical and scientific cooperation,  and access to and transfer of technology  to fully implement the Kunming- Montreal global biodiversity framework  are secured and equitably accessible to all Parties, especially developing countries,  in particular the least developed countries and small island developing States, as well as countries with economies in transition, progressively closing the biodiversity finance gap of 700 billion dollars per year, and aligning financial flows with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and the 2050 Vision for Biodiversity.

The framework has 23 action-oriented global targets for urgent action over the decade to 2030. The actions set out in each target need to be initiated immediately and completed by 2030. Together, the results will enable achievement towards the outcome-oriented goals for 2050. Actions to reach these targets should be implemented consistently and in harmony with the Convention on Biological Diversity and its Protocols and  other  relevant  international  obligations,  taking  into  account  national  circumstances,  priorities  and socioeconomic conditions.

1.    Reducing threats to biodiversity

TARGET 1

Ensure  that  all  areas  are  under  participatory  integrated  biodiversity  inclusive  spatial  planning  and/or effective management processes addressing land and sea use change, to bring the  loss of areas of high biodiversity importance, including ecosystems of high ecological integrity, close to zero by 2030, while respecting the rights of indigenous peoples and local communities,

TARGET 2

Ensure that by 2030 at least 30 per cent of areas of degraded terrestrial, inland water, and coastal and marine ecosystems are under effective restoration, in order to enhance biodiversity and ecosystem functions and services, ecological integrity and connectivity.

TARGET 3

Ensure and enable that by 2030 at least 30 per cent of terrestrial, inland water, and of coastal and marine areas, especially areas of particular importance for biodiversity and ecosystem functions and services, are effectively conserved and managed through ecologically representative, well-connected and equitably governed systems of protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures, recognizing indigenous and traditional territories, where applicable, and integrated into wider landscapes, seascapes and the ocean, while ensuring that any sustainable use, where appropriate in such areas, is fully consistent with conservation outcomes, recognizing and respecting the rights of indigenous peoples and local communities, including over their traditional territories.

TARGET 4

Ensure urgent management actions to halt human induced extinction of known threatened species and for the recovery and conservation of species, in particular threatened species, to significantly reduce extinction risk, as well as to maintain and restore the genetic diversity within and between populations of native, wild and domesticated species to maintain their adaptive potential, including through in situ and ex situ conservation and sustainable management practices, and effectively manage human-wildlife interactions to minimize human-wildlife conflict for coexistence.

TARGET 5

Ensure that the use, harvesting and trade of wild species is sustainable, safe and legal, preventing overexploitation, minimizing impacts on non-target species and ecosystems, and reducing the risk of pathogen spill-over, applying the ecosystem approach, while respecting and protecting customary sustainable use by indigenous peoples and local communities.

TARGET 6

Eliminate, minimize, reduce and or mitigate the impacts of invasive alien species on biodiversity and ecosystem services by identifying and managing pathways of the introduction of alien species, preventing the introduction and establishment of priority invasive alien species, reducing the rates of introduction and establishment of other known or potential invasive alien species by at least 50 per cent, by 2030, eradicating or controlling invasive alien species especially in priority sites, such as islands.

TARGET 7

Reduce pollution risks and the negative impact of pollution from all sources, by 2030, to levels that are not harmful to biodiversity and ecosystem functions and services, considering cumulative effects, including: reducing excess nutrients lost to the environment by at least half including through more efficient nutrient cycling and use; reducing the overall risk from pesticides and highly hazardous chemicals by at least half including through integrated pest management, based on science, taking into account food security and livelihoods; and also preventing, reducing, and working towards eliminating plastic pollution.

TARGET 8

Minimize the impact of climate change and ocean acidification on biodiversity and increase its resilience through mitigation, adaptation, and disaster risk reduction actions, including through nature-based solution and/or ecosystem-based approaches, while minimizing negative and fostering positive impacts of climate action on biodiversity.

2. Meeting people’s needs through sustainable use and benefit-sharing

TARGET 9

Ensure that the management and use of wild species are sustainable, thereby providing social, economic and environmental benefits for people, especially those in vulnerable situations and those most dependent on biodiversity, including through sustainable biodiversity-based activities, products and services that enhance biodiversity, and protecting and encouraging customary sustainable use by indigenous peoples and local communities.

TARGET 10

Ensure that areas under agriculture, aquaculture, fisheries and forestry are managed sustainably, in particular through the sustainable use of biodiversity, including through a substantial increase of the application of biodiversity friendly practices, such as sustainable intensification, agroecological and other innovative approaches contributing to the resilience and long-term efficiency and productivity of these production systems and to food security, conserving and restoring biodiversity and maintaining nature’s contributions to people, including ecosystem functions and services .

TARGET 11

Restore, maintain and enhance nature’s contributions to people, including ecosystem functions and services, such as regulation of air, water, and climate, soil health, pollination and reduction of disease risk, as well as protection from natural hazards and disasters, through nature-based solutions and/or ecosystem-based approaches for the benefit of all people and nature.

TARGET 12,

Significantly increase the area and quality and connectivity of, access to, and benefits from green and blue spaces in urban and densely populated areas sustainably, by mainstreaming the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, and ensure biodiversity-inclusive urban planning, enhancing native biodiversity, ecological connectivity and integrity, and improving human health and well-being and connection to nature and contributing to inclusive and sustainable urbanization and the provision of ecosystem functions and services.

TARGET 13

Take effective legal, policy, administrative and capacity-building measures at all levels, as appropriate, to ensure the fair and equitable sharing of benefits that arise from the utilization of genetic resources and from digital sequence information on genetic resources, as well as traditional knowledge associated with genetic resources, and facilitating appropriate access to genetic resources, and by 2030 facilitating a significant increase of the benefits shared, in accordance with applicable international access and benefit- sharing instruments.

3. Tools and solutions for implementation and mainstreaming

TARGET 14

Ensure the full integration of biodiversity and its multiple values into policies, regulations, planning and development processes, poverty eradication strategies, strategic environmental assessments, environmental impact assessments and, as appropriate, national accounting, within and across all levels of government and across all sectors, in particular those with significant impacts on biodiversity, progressively aligning all relevant public and private activities, fiscal and financial flows with the goals and targets of this framework.

TARGET 15

Take legal, administrative or policy measures to encourage and enable business, and in particular to ensure that large and transnational companies and financial institutions:

(a)  Regularly  monitor,  assess,  and  transparently  disclose  their  risks,  dependencies  and  impacts  on biodiversity,  including  with  requirements  for  all  large  as  well  as  transnational  companies  and financial institutions along their operations, supply and value chains and portfolios;

(b) Provide information needed to consumers to promote sustainable consumption patterns;

(c)  Report on compliance with access and benefit-sharing regulations and measures, as applicable;

in order to progressively reduce negative impacts on biodiversity, increase positive impacts, reduce biodiversity-related risks to business and financial institutions, and promote actions to ensure sustainable patterns of production.

TARGET 16

Ensure that people are encouraged and enabled to make sustainable consumption choices including by establishing supportive policy, legislative or regulatory frameworks, improving education and access to relevant and accurate information and alternatives, and by 2030, reduce the global footprint of consumption in an equitable manner, including through halving global food waste, significantly reducing overconsumption and substantially reducing waste generation, in order for all people to live well in harmony with Mother Earth.

TARGET 17

Establish, strengthen capacity for, and implement in all countries in biosafety measures as set out in Article 8(g) of the Convention on Biological Diversity and measures for the handling of biotechnology and distribution of its benefits as set out in Article 19 of the Convention.

TARGET 18

Identify by 2025, and eliminate, phase out or reform incentives, including subsidies, harmful for biodiversity, in a proportionate, just, fair, effective and equitable way, while substantially and progressively reducing them by at least 500 billion United States dollars per year by 2030, starting with the most harmful incentives, and scale up positive incentives for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity.

TARGET 19

Substantially and progressively increase the level of financial resources from all sources, in an effective, timely and easily accessible manner, including domestic, international, public and private resources, in accordance with Article 20 of the Convention, to implement national biodiversity strategies and action plans, by 2030 mobilizing at least 200 billion United States dollars per year, including by:

(a)         Increasing total biodiversity related international financial resources from developed countries, including official development assistance, and from countries that voluntarily assume obligations of developed country Parties, to developing countries, in particular the least developed countries and small island developing States, as well as countries with economies in transition, to at least US$ 20 billion per year by 2025, and to at least US$ 30 billion per year by 2030;

(b)        Significantly increasing domestic resource mobilization, facilitated by the preparation and implementation of national biodiversity finance plans or similar instruments according to national needs, priorities and circumstances;

(c)         Leveraging private finance, promoting blended finance, implementing strategies for raising new and additional resources, and encouraging the private sector to invest in biodiversity, including through impact funds and other instruments;

(d)        Stimulating innovative schemes such as payment for ecosystem services, green bonds, biodiversity offsets and credits, benefit-sharing mechanisms, with environmental and social safeguards

(e)         Optimizing co-benefits and synergies of finance targeting the biodiversity and climate crises,

(f)         Enhancing the role of collective actions, including by indigenous peoples and local communities, Mother Earth centric actions1  and non-market-based approaches including community based natural resource management and civil society cooperation and solidarity aimed at the conservation of biodiversity

(g)        Enhancing the effectiveness, efficiency and transparency of resource provision and use;

TARGET 20

Strengthen  capacity-building  and  development,  access  to  and  transfer  of  technology,  and  promote development of and access to innovation and technical and scientific cooperation, including through South- South, North-South and triangular cooperation, to meet the needs for effective implementation, particularly in developing countries, fostering joint technology development and joint scientific research programmes for  the  conservation  and  sustainable  use  of  biodiversity  and  strengthening  scientific  research  and monitoring capacities, commensurate with the ambition of the goals and targets of the framework.

TARGET 21

Ensure that the best available data, information and knowledge, are accessible to decision makers, practitioners and the public to guide effective and equitable governance, integrated and participatory management of biodiversity, and to strengthen communication, awareness-raising, education, monitoring, research and knowledge management and, also in this context, traditional knowledge, innovations, practices and technologies of indigenous peoples and local communities should only be accessed with their free, prior and informed consent,2  in accordance with national legislation.

TARGET 22

Ensure the full, equitable, inclusive, effective and gender-responsive representation and participation in decision-making, and access to justice and information related to biodiversity by indigenous peoples and local communities, respecting their cultures and their rights over lands, territories, resources, and traditional knowledge, as well as by women and girls, children and youth, and persons with disabilities and ensure the full protection of environmental human rights defenders.

TARGET 23

Ensure gender equality in the implementation of the framework through a gender-responsive approach where all women and girls have equal opportunity and capacity to contribute to the three objectives of the Convention, including by recognizing their equal rights and access to land and natural resources and their full, equitable, meaningful and informed participation and leadership at all levels of action, engagement, policy and decision-making related to biodiversity.”