The Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center launched the rocket from waters off the coast of Yangjiang, south China’s Guangdong Province, at 3:24 a.m. (Beijing Time).
The launch is the second mission of the Smart Dragon-3 carrier rocket series.
Author: Nicole Kamanzi Muteteri
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Rwanda showcases distinctive tourism offerings at ‘Evolution of Travel Breakfast’ in Cannes
During the Evolution of Travel Breakfast, an exclusive event held at La Plage Barrière Le Majestic in Cannes, Rwanda was given an opportunity to share its story as as sustainable destination.
Linda Mutesi, Tourism Promotion Division Manager at Rwanda Development Board (RDB), participated in a panel discussion with industry leaders focusing on expedition travel and global travel trends.
Speaking to IGIHE, Mutesi shared insights into the panel discussion, emphasizing its aim to discuss destinations, provide value, and offer in-depth insights for discerning travelers.
She expressed enthusiasm about presenting Rwanda’s offerings, particularly highlighting the experience of witnessing the majestic mountain gorillas—a unique feature that enriches a traveler’s journey.
“We were pleased to discuss what potential travelers could experience in Rwanda, emphasizing the value derived from the various elements that contribute to community support, benefits, and economic advantages for the country. This, in turn, enhances a traveler’s values and overall experience,” noted Mutesi.
Participating for the 7th time at ILTM, Rwanda was represented by various travel operators, including Primate Safaris, Makario Safaris, Jambo Tours, Luxury Africa Tours, Uber Luxe Safari, Africa Journeys, Volcanoes Safari, Wilderness Safari, Rwanda Eco Company and Safaris, and Akagera Aviation.
The 22nd edition of ILTM promises to be the biggest ever, featuring 2,100 exhibitors, 330 brands, 21,000 buyers from 83 countries, and over 82,000 pre-programmed appointments. The event serves as a unique opportunity to connect with potential business partners and explore new experiences within the realm of luxury travel.
Over four days, from December 4 to 7, ILTM provides a platform not only for brands but also for all players in the luxury travel industry, from tour operators to itinerary designers. Rwanda’s presence at this esteemed event underscores its commitment to positioning itself as a go-to destination for high-end travelers seeking distinctive and enriching experiences.
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UK, Rwanda sign new migration treaty
Originally intended to involve the relocation of illegal migrants to Rwanda, the MEDP faced setbacks when the UK Supreme Court declared the initial deportation scheme unlawful on November 15.
The court expressed concerns about the potential risk asylum seekers faced upon being sent to Rwanda. Responding to these concerns, Rwanda underscored the necessity of a binding treaty between the two nations.
The Migration and Economic Partnership Treaty, was signed on Tuesday December 5, 2023, in Kigali, between Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Vincent Biruta, and the recently appointed UK Home Secretary, James Cleverly.
This renewed agreement reiterates the provisions of the initial plan, emphasizing the transfer of migrants arriving illegally in the UK through the British Channel to Rwanda. Importantly, Rwanda commits not to repatriate asylum-seekers to their home countries, even if their applications are declined.
Minister Biruta, speaking at a joint press conference, emphasized Rwanda’s commitment to protecting vulnerable individuals, building on the country’s history of welcoming refugees and migrants.
“Rwanda is very committed to this partnership, and that is why we worked with the UK government to address the concerns raised by the Supreme Court,” Dr. Biruta stated.
The new treaty introduces a significant enhancement to the appeals process, establishing an appeals tribunal under Rwandan law overseen by two co-presidents and a panel of judges from diverse nationalities. This tribunal will play a crucial role in hearing appeals in the event of denied asylum claims.
UK Home Secretary Cleverly acknowledged Rwanda’s professionalism in handling migration affairs and expressed a shared desire to continually improve the process. He highlighted that the treaty’s signing strengthens and enhances the MEDP, solidifying Rwanda’s reputation for humane and professional administration of refugees and migrant affairs.
The Rwandan government, in a statement, emphasized that this partnership aligns with their commitment to protecting vulnerable people and providing a home for migrants and refugees globally. The statement concludes, “We believe today’s treaty provides the necessary assurances that will allow the partnership to move forward.”
The renewed treaty not only re-emphasizes existing commitments but also establishes a robust framework to address concerns raised in the legal process regarding the protection of asylum seekers.
Additionally, it underlines the collaborative efforts of Rwanda and the UK in creating a Migration and Economic Development Partnership that aims to deter dangerous migration journeys while addressing the global imbalance of economic opportunity—a crucial step towards addressing the root causes of mass irregular migration.
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The 5th World Media Summit’s resounding call for global collaboration
With the theme “Boosting Global Confidence, Promoting Media Development,” the summit brought together over 450 representatives from nearly 200 institutions worldwide, sparking profound discussions on critical topics.
In the Joint Statement, the participants acknowledged the unprecedented changes and uncertainties the world is currently facing, emphasizing the need for global media to act as a bridge of communication, addressing questions posed by the era and history.
The statement highlighted the summit’s commitment to exploring ways for the media industry to tackle global challenges, encapsulated in the four key topics: “Bolstering Confidence,” “Embracing Changes,” “Pioneering Innovation,” and “Seeking Growth.”
Recognizing the accelerated changes unseen in a century, the participants called for increased attention to the pressing demands of developing countries, particularly in areas such as poverty reduction, food security, financing for development, and industrialization. The Joint Statement underscored the role of global media in helping to resolve imbalances and inadequacies in development, fostering a sense of responsibility towards the broader global community.
Amid the rapid development of new technologies in the information age, the Joint Statement emphasized the importance of adhering to journalistic ethics and professional standards. It urged global media to actively embrace innovation while making rational use of emerging technologies, with a commitment to disseminating factual, objective, comprehensive, and unbiased news. Resisting misinformation, opposing rumors, and prejudices were deemed essential to upholding the authority and credibility of the media.
The Joint Statement went further to call on global media organizations to strengthen cooperation, promoting the common development of the world media industry. Facilitating mutual understanding and communication among countries and peoples with different historical backgrounds, cultural traditions, and development statuses was highlighted as crucial. This, the statement emphasized, would contribute to delivering greater stability and positive energy to a world marked by volatility.
The summit’s role as an important global platform for high-level media exchanges and cooperation was reaffirmed in the Joint Statement. Co-hosted by Xinhua News Agency and the provincial government of Guangdong, the events at the main venue of the summit ran from December 2 to 6. As the summit concluded, the Joint Statement left a lasting impression, inspiring hope that it will encourage global media to build consensus, work collaboratively for high-quality development, and pool their influential strength for building a community with a shared future for humanity and a better world.
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Shaping tomorrow’s media landscape: Insights from the 5th World Media Summit
With over 450 attendees from 101 countries and regions, including representatives from nearly 200 mainstream media outlets, think tanks, government agencies, and international organizations, the summit hosted by Xinhua from 2-8 aims to foster practical cooperation and shape the future of media.
Fu Hua, President of Xinhua News Agency, set the tone in his keynote speech by emphasizing the pivotal role of confidence in navigating the challenges of the media landscape.
He likened confidence to gold, emphasizing its crucial role in shouldering the responsibilities of fostering unity and boosting global confidence for historical development, civilization prosperity, and human progress.
The summit served as a crucial platform for international media communication and cooperation, with Fu Hua calling for efforts to enhance the multilateral mechanism, urging stakeholders to innovate collaboration models and expand cooperation channels.
Xinhua’s commitment to improving communication and consultation processes with media organizations from various countries was explicitly outlined.
Luis Enrique Gonzalez Acosta, President of Prensa Latina News Agency, expressed his view of the summit as an opportunity to collaborate with other media outlets in providing objective and responsible reports, amplifying the voices of developing countries.
Iqbal Surve, Chairman of South Africa’s Independent Media, also urged media to position itself as the voice of the Global South, emphasizing the role of media as a change agent for social-economic development.
Meanwhile, Roger Agana, Managing Director of News Ghana, stressed the need for the world to know the real Africa and China, asserting the African media’s role in telling authentic stories.
Experts at the summit underscored the importance of South-South cooperation among media in ensuring that the voices of developing countries are heard worldwide.
Seife Deribe Endale, CEO of Ethiopian News Agency, highlighted the need for a grand shared narrative, particularly through the lens of alternative narratives like that of the BRICS, to promote common prosperity globally.
Maria Bernarda Llorente, President of Telam, Argentina’s official news agency, emphasized the significance of South-South communication in building relations between developing countries.
{{Understanding the World Media Summit}}
The World Media Summit (WMS), conceived by Xinhua in 2008 to address challenges posed by the emergence of “New Media,” has evolved into a dynamic platform for global media collaboration.
Co-initiated by influential organizations such as the Associated Press, Reuters, and TASS Russian News Agency, the inaugural summit took place in Beijing in 2009.
Since then, subsequent summits in Moscow (2012), Doha, Qatar (2016), and Beijing (2021) have showcased the WMS’s commitment to inclusivity, bringing together top executives, editors-in-chief, journalists, media scholars, and press officials. Various documents, including the World Media Summit Joint Statement and conventions on intellectual property protection, have strengthened media connections and promoted cooperation.
The WMS has played a crucial role in fostering international people-to-people exchanges, mutual learning among civilizations, and organizing impactful activities like the World Media Summit Global Awards for Excellence and public welfare projects such as the Global News Day for Children.
Through institutional building, the WMS has secured long-term stability and development.
The 5th World Media Summit not only reflects on past successes but also serves as a guiding light for future collaborations, innovation, and global dialogue within the ever-evolving media landscape.
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Premier Ngirente unveils plans for $1.5 billion in mineral exports by 2024
This year’s mining week, marked as the sixth annual event, focuses on the theme of Mining Technology, Adequacy, and Investments. Premier Ngirente highlighted the significant role of mining as one of the major revenue sources for the country, providing substantial employment opportunities. Notably, mining production has nearly tripled from $373 million to $852 million between January and September of the current year.
Approximately 70,000 people are employed in the mining sector, contributing not only to their individual development but also to the overall progress of surrounding areas. The Prime Minister expressed satisfaction with these results, acknowledging that achieving the set goals necessitates energy, compliance, investment in technology-intensive mining, and attention to the development of mining operators.
The government’s commitment to the mining sector was further emphasized by an investor, Mpendahende Amiel, who expressed gratitude for efforts to modernize the industry. However, he called for assistance in securing funding from financial institutions, addressing the challenge of obtaining loans for mining projects. Additionally, Mpendahende proposed the establishment of a local industry for producing dynamites with a request for government support.
In response, Premier Ngirente assured that the government is actively addressing obstacles in the mining sector and collaborating with financial institutions to facilitate funding for mining endeavors.
He urged mining professionals to adhere to laws and regulations while emphasizing the government’s commitment to monitoring compliance to prevent illegal mining, ensure environmental protection, prioritize miner safety, and discourage mine abandonment.
Further, Ngirente highlighted the government’s intention to promote cooperation between investors and the private sector in mining.
This collaboration extends to research efforts aimed at determining mineral reserves in different parts of the country and supporting the development of communities surrounding mining operations through infrastructure projects such as hospitals, roads, and power transmission lines.
Amb. Yamina Karitanyi, Chief Executive Officer of Rwanda Mines, Petroleum and Gas Board (RMB) shared insights on the country’s mining achievements.
Notably, Rwanda is competing to reach a one-billion-dollar income by the end of the year, with impressive production increases in coal, coltan, wolfram, gold, lithium, and gemstones. Karitanyi outlined substantial financial contributions from the mining industry to the government’s coffers and detailed ongoing research initiatives in new areas rich in precious stones.
As of now, Rwanda boasts over 150 mining companies, with Rulindo, Rutsiro, Gakenke, Muhanga, and Rwamagana emerging as the most productive districts in the country.
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UK Home Secretary, James Cleverly visits Rwanda
Mr. Cleverly, representing the UK government, landed at Kigali International Airport on the morning of Tuesday, December 5, 2023. His visit is part of the ongoing efforts to finalize discussions and reinforce the Migration and Economic Development Partnership (MEDP), an agreement signed between the two countries in April last year.
Upon arriving in Rwanda, Cleverly commenced his visit with a poignant visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial in Gisozi. Accompanied by the UK High Commissioner to Rwanda, Omar Daair, and the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Clementine Mukeka, he paid tribute to the victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi and taken through Rwanda’s history.
Throughout his stay in Rwanda, Minister James Cleverly is set to hold talks with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Vincent Biruta, and other officials. The focus of these discussions is expected to revolve around the MEDP, a partnership where the UK aims to relocate migrants staying illegally in the country and provide assistance in preparations to host asylum seekers.
This decision by the UK is aimed at discouraging illegal crossings into the country and reducing the budget spent on illegal migrants annually.
The MEDP outlines that upon arrival, asylum seekers from African countries and other regions will be treated with dignity, akin to Rwandans. There is an expectation that those willing to return to their home countries will be assisted in doing so. Initially planned for July 2022, the arrival of the first migrants in Rwanda was postponed following a complaint filed by organizations advocating for migrants’ rights.
Recently, the UK Supreme Court rejected the planned deportation of migrants to Rwanda, citing concerns about ‘Rwanda being deemed unsafe for asylum seekers’. Nevertheless, the UK government has reiterated its commitment to ensuring the smooth implementation of these agreements.
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Rwanda’s mining industry has the potential to reach $150 billion
She highlighted the need for modern exploration and exploitation techniques to unlock this value. Karitanyi dispelled the notion that Rwanda lacks mineral resources, pointing out that historical neglect of the exploration phase in many African countries has contributed to this perception.
Despite the historical challenges, she mentioned that the RMB has collected exploration data since 1968, instilling confidence in the existence of significant reserves across the country. These confirmed reserves stand at $150 billion, but she acknowledged the considerable work required to harness them fully. Rwanda’s mineral exports, including gold, cassiterite, coltan, wolfram, and gemstones, contributed over $362 million and $241 million in the second and third quarters of 2023, respectively.
Karitanyi noted in her podcast with The New Times a threefold increase in export revenues over the last seven years and highlighted Rwanda’s National Strategy for Transformation (NST1), which aims to elevate the mining sector’s contribution to total exports from 32.9 percent in 2017 to 49.6 percent by 2024.
Despite these successes, challenges persist, with limited production attributed to outdated equipment and techniques, posing risks to safety and environmental conservation.
Addressing productivity concerns, Karitanyi reported that only 20 percent of minerals are recovered due to artisanal extraction methods. Efforts are underway to improve recovery rates through the introduction of mechanical processing techniques, potentially increasing recovery to 40-45 percent.
Karitanyi also called on financial institutions to support the mining sector by opening up financing instruments, acknowledging the perceived risks.
She highlighted the need for instruments in the banking sector that specifically cater to the mining industry. While acknowledging the existing challenges, she expressed optimism about the mining institution’s efforts to de-risk the sector by mapping out minerals in different concessions, estimating their value, and projecting expected revenue.
This initiative aims to enable miners to use their licenses as collateral for accessing capital from banks.
