TURI KUMWE Newsletter | 2023 Quarter 4

Mr. Ozonnia Ojielo

UN RESIDENT COORDINATOR

I am pleased to share with you the latest edition of our quarterly newsletter commonly known as TURIKUMWE, which highlights the tremendous work done by the UN Country Team (UNCT) in Rwanda. In the past few months, we have had numerous thrilling initiatives and engagements that exhibit our continued assurance as the United Nations as we endeavor to serve Rwandans.

I had the pleasure to Co-Chair this year’s Development Partners retreat with the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Dr. Uzziel Ndagijimana. With productive engagement from UNCT members, government cabinet officials, and civil society representatives, we charted a proper path on ways to strengthen our partnerships and enhance coordination in delivering the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Rwanda, especially with our involvement in the next Country’s National Strategy for Transformation (NST2)   

We celebrated United Nations Day (UN Day 2023) where a series of activities were organized including tree planting, a friendly football tournament, blood donation, and a national event where, together with government high-level representatives gathered to reflect on the theme “Equality, Freedom, and Justice for All”

To promote the creative industry, we received a delegation of Nigerian icons under the MITTA Centre who engaged with the government and local sector actors and am glad to inform you that several collaborative projects are already in the pipeline.  I strongly believe that investing in Africa's creative industry is a pathway to unlock the transformative power of culture, contributing to sustainable development goals and fostering inclusive growth.

With the efforts to continue advocating for a conducive human-rights environment, we celebrated the International Human Rights Day held in Bugesera eastern province. This was a great platform to highlight the significance of working together with the government, civil society organisations, and other stakeholders to create a society where everyone can enjoy their inherent rights, regardless of factors such as race, gender, religion, or socio-economic status.

 The UNCT was delighted to welcome The United Nations Under-Secretary-General and UN Development Programme Administrator, Mr. Achim Steiner who is also the Vice Chair of the United Nations Development Group. He engaged in a series of high-level meetings with Ministers, the Private sector and civil society, senior government officials, and H.E. the President of the Republic of Rwanda President Paul Kagame where he acknowledged the country’s socioeconomic progress and pledged for more transformative partnerships.

I am further thrilled to inform you that Rwanda hosted the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) to assess the security and stability in the region. The five-day gathering convened foreign ministers and experts from 11 member countries to deliberate on the best approaches to promote and advocate for peace and stability across the region.

Your commitment to collaborate and Continuing to explore innovative ways to tackle development priorities demonstrates a forward-thinking and adaptable approach. I am certainly optimistic that by adopting new technologies, implementing creative solutions, and staying responsive to changing circumstances, we will together make Rwanda her target.