UN expert on poverty to visit Rwanda

Kigali – The UN Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights, Olivier De Schutter, will conduct an official visit to Rwanda from 19 to 30 May 2025 to examine the government’s efforts to eradicate poverty.

During his two-week visit, the Special Rapporteur will visit the capital, Kigali, and travel across the country, including to the districts of Gisagara, Musanze and Nyamasheke, gathering first-hand information from individuals and communities living in poverty and meeting with government officials, international organisations, academic experts and representatives from non-governmental and civil society organisations.

He will pay particular attention to the situation of groups disproportionately affected by poverty such as women, children, rural households, historically marginalised people, persons with disabilities and informal workers, examining the adequacy of government policies and social protection systems in protecting them from poverty, inequality and social exclusion.

The expert will present his preliminary observations and recommendations at a press conference on Friday 30 May at 11:30am (local time) at the Ubumwe Grande Hotel (Mutara room, second floor), Plot 1306, KN 67 Street, Kiyovu Cell, Nyarugenge Sector, Kigali. Access will be strictly limited to journalists. To register, please contact Farhan Siddique, Assistant Human Rights Officer, OHCHR: farhan.siddique@un.org / +918797134890

De Schutter’s final report on Rwanda will be presented to the UN Human Rights Council in June 2026.