One UN Turi Kumwe Newsletter

Dear Esteemed Partners and Readers,

I welcome you to the 2nd edition of “Turi Kumwe” our quarterly One UN in Rwanda Newsletter. This publication provides an insight into what the One UN in Rwanda have been doing during the quarter and how all UN agencies are working together - delivering results as one for the benefit of the people, leaving no one behind.

I hope this publication finds you and your families well, in these very uncertain and challenging times. I extend my sincere condolences and my sympathy to those who lost their loved ones and express my best wishes of speedy recovery to people who are sick.

I praise the Government of Rwanda in general, the health workers in particular, for their tremendous efforts to keep us all safe and healthy!

As we are all ware, the COVID-19 pandemic continues spreading, more and more -- infected cases are emerging with the death toll climbing day by day globally. It has left health care systems strained, the education system disrupted, and businesses and economies in the world over uncertain about the future. In addition, this pandemic has major social impact including on mental health.

I commend the Government of Rwanda for their leadership, strong actions and unwavering commitment in responding to COVID-19. The health workers also deserve special recognition for their tremendous and tireless efforts to keep us all safe and healthy. The citizens and residents of Rwanda have also played a critical role with individual, collective contributions and adhering to the Government measures. “Murakoze Urakoze”!

In Rwanda, the Government has put in place enhanced measures to stop the spread of COVID-19 with the support from the UN, Development Partners, and all key players. We are all working hand in hand for the well-being of all residents of Rwanda. It is our shared responsibility to work together, protecting personal health and that of others around us. UN Rwanda collectively will continue to play its role both in the fight against the COVID-19 but also in the successful implementation and support of the Economic Recovery Plan in collaboration with the National Strategy for Transformation (NST1).

This year, the UN is marking its 75th anniversary in a middle of a global crisis/ pandemic that has highlighted the flaws in the international system. However, COVID-19 pandemic has re-emphasized the great need for global solidarity and shared responsibility for our human security. It has shown what it means to be “a human being” in this interdependent and interconnected world. This microscopic virus knowing no borders taught us that “No one is safe until everyone is safe”. More than ever the UN charter “we the people” remain relevant to pave the way for hope for a future we all want for the next 75 years. However, this means that we work together for a more harmonious, inclusive and equitable world, prosperous for everyone, praying diversity and fighting bigotry, protecting our planet, putting people at the center and managing risks by building resilient institutions and systems (including in health for all). All these elements should be grounded on fundamental human rights, solidarity, giving more voices and power to youth and women, people with disabilities and vulnerable people, to citizens in general, on building back better and greener with a focus on the agenda 2030, our blueprint for the people, the planet, prosperity, peace and partnership.  Most importantly, develop friendly relations among nations based on respect for the principle of equal rights and dignity, the peaceful resolution of disputes and stronger international co-operation.

We also need to strengthen multilateralism in the digital era, by being more inclusive with the Government at national and decentralized level, the civil society organization, the private sector, the financial institutions including the International financial institutions and a more efficient and “fit-for-purpose” United nations, working in a more coherent and cohesive way aligned with the UN reforms. Whenever, we are together, we will find the required “adaptative leadership”, resolve, political will and financial and human resources to solve problems of an economic, social, cultural, or humanitarian character, and to promote respect for human rights, for a safer and better earth for all.

Now is the time to put into practice our commitment to future generations that is central to UN Charter. Join us to shape the UN future by taking the short survey: www.un75.online or download the surveyhttps://collect.un75.online/. Your voice should be heard. I already have taken the survey!

The UN has remained focused in advocating for global solidarity in addressing the current challenges at all levels. The global solidary is key in ensuring complementarity, value addition and building stronger support to national response to the prevailing situation. Our humanity is tested. However, I have the strong conviction that we shall overcome! Together!

Over the last quarter, the UN in Rwanda was pleased to join the rest of the globe to commemorate this year’s World Refugee Day and I commend Rwanda for providing asylum to more than 150,000 refugees for the last two decades, the World Environment Day where Rwanda has implemented tremendous measures to protect the environment, International Day of UN Peacekeepers, particularly Women in Peacekeeping, to mention a few.

In this Newsletter, you will read stories from, IOM, UN Women, UNAIDS, FAO, WFP, UNFPA, UNCDF, UN Volunteers, UNICEF, UNDP, UNECA and UNHCR. I invite you to visit rwanda.un.org  and to follow us ‘as it happens’ Twitter & FB: @UNRwanda

I take this opportunity to once again salute the Government of Rwanda of its commitment to ensure development of this country and safety of all people living in Rwanda, Leaving No One Behind.

The One UN in Rwanda and myself, pledge through the voice of our UN Secretary General, António Guterres, to continue doing everything within our capacity and resources to improve the standard leaving of the people in a world in peace within families, communities, societies, between countries and with our environment. Today and every day, we stand in unity and solidarity.

I wish to conclude by wishing everyone a Happy Liberation Day “Kwibohora26”.

We are together! Turi Kumwe!

Fodé Ndiaye

United Nations Resident Coordinator