At the third National Urban Forum we had an expected 300 urban experts in Kigali from 6-7 February examining previous work of the Government and partners in urban sector and setting new suggestions on how Rwanda ought to accomplish its objective of 35 percent urbanization rate by 2024.

The Honourable Minister of Infrastructure, Claver Gatete gave his opening remarks and mentioned the “Government of Rwanda prioritized urbanization as an engine of socio-economic development and sustainable human settlements. Urbanization additionally offers a chance to increment off-farm development and improvement of urban areas”, said Honorable Claver Gatete.  Executive Director of UN-Habitat Ms. Maimunah Mohd Sharif called upon government officials, development partners and mutual stakeholders to jointly translate all urban plans into substantial activities.

In her welcome note, the Mayor of the host City of Kigali Marie Chantal Rwakazina featured the experience of Kigali in participatory methodology in all urbanization perspectives.

This forum was arranged to concentrate on critical themes for Rwanda’s rapidly developing urban areas, specifically: city branding, cultural uniqueness, competitiveness and mobilizing public and private finance for local economic development; participatory urban\spatial planning and urban data; affordable housing and informal settlements upgrading; and urban resilience, climate change and green cities.

During the discussion on Urban resilience, climate change and green cities, in his introductory statements the Honorable Minister of Environment Mr. Vincent Biruta focused on the significance of dialogue on green growth at the Forum, highlighting the work Ministry of Environment has done with several government ministries, civil society and the private sector to assemble comprehension of the significance of green, clean and sustainable development. Notable the Minister cautioned participants the substantial increase in extreme weather events that are having a severe and often tragic impact on the lives of Rwandans. These natural disasters comprise of floods and landslides and are set to increment except if we develop our urban communities in manners that are more sensitive to nature.

Panel discussion on climate change and urban resilience was moderated by Ms. Juliet Kabera, Director General of Ministry of Environment who commended all to endeavour for collective efforts to execute strategies that are in place, informing and educating the public on the significance of resilient cities. Panel discussion included Ms. Coletha U. Ruhamya, Director General, Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA); Mr. Hubert Ruzibiza, Chief Executive Officer, Rwanda Green Fund (FONERWA); Mr Alphonse Hishamunda, Acting Director at the Ministry of Emergency Management (MINEMA); Mr. Pablo Benitez, Senior Environmental Economist, World Bank and Ms. Tara Caetano, Senior Professional Officer, ICLEI.

After recommendations on need for collective efforts to implement strategies on urban resilience, other panel organized by GGGI was set to reflect on current state of private and civil society sector contributing to Rwanda’s green cities.  Mr. Daniel Ogbonnaya, Programme Lead for GGGI shared with the audience green cities concepts and continued discussion with Ms. Noella Nibakuze, Associate, MASS Design Group; Ms. Ineza Grace Umuhoza, Founder of Green Fighters and Mr. David Kinzuzi, Founder of My Green Home whom were in agreement  in order to achieve green cities, more opportunities should be created for young enterpreneurs, especially those creating green jobs, and further reinforce civil society and youth based organizations working on and contributing to the green urban growth.  Panel discussion on green cities was moderated by private sector representative Mr. Enrico Morriello, Principal Planner at Surbana Jurong Planning Group.

Visit the MININFRA website for all the presentations made during the 3rd National Urban Forum, Kigali Rwanda http://www.mininfra.gov.rw/index.php?id=215

To review the NUF Background paper, click here

Mr Enrico Morriello, Ineza Umuhoza , Okechukwu Daniel Ogbonnaya , David Kinzuki, Noella Nibakuze

This event was jointly co-sponsored collaboration between the Government of Rwanda, GGGI and IMELS (Italian Ministry for Environment ,Land and Sea)