Cai Qi, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau and director of the General Office of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, and Wang Yi, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and foreign minister, were on the same plane.
Upon Xi’s departure Thursday night local time, South Africa’s International Relations and Cooperation Minister Naledi Pandor and other senior government officials saw him off at the airport.
In a recently published signed article by Zheng Shanjie, head of the National Development and Reform Commission, China’s national economic planner, the official said that over the past 10 years, China has signed more than 200 cooperation documents on the joint construction of the Belt and Road with 152 countries and 32 international organizations, covering 83 percent of the countries with which China has established diplomatic relations.
Infrastructure connectivity has become more accessible through Belt and Road cooperation, Zheng said, citing various landmark projects, such as the China-Europe Railway Express, the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor, and the China-Laos Railway.
The China-Europe Railway Express has reached 211 cities in 25 European countries, and the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor has connected China’s central and western regions with more than 300 ports in over 100 countries, said Zheng.
From 2013 to 2022, the import and export of goods between China and countries along the Belt and Road increased by an average of 8.6 percent annually, Zheng said, adding that their cumulative two-way investment has exceeded 270 billion U.S. dollars.
In the overseas economic and trade cooperation zones built by Chinese enterprises in the countries along the Belt and Road, 421,000 local jobs were created over the past decade, Zheng said.
“It is estimated that by 2030, the joint construction of the Belt and Road would have helped lift 7.6 million people out of extreme poverty and 32 million people out of moderate poverty in the relevant countries,” Zheng said.
The rainy period’s conclusion is forecasted to be between December 21st and 27th. Significant heavy rainfall is expected in the western and northern provinces, while the southern region of the country as well as the capital city, Kigali, will likely experience more moderate levels of precipitation. Conversely, the eastern province is predicted to encounter relatively lighter rainfall.
Attributing this rainfall pattern to elevated temperatures observed in the Indian and Pacific Oceans, Aimable Gahigi, the Director General of Meteo Rwanda, highlights, “The upcoming rainy season in 2023 will witness a substantial increase in precipitation, comparable to the levels recorded in 1997, 2002, and 2006.”
Gahigi strongly recommends that individuals engaged in agriculture take proactive measures, including erosion control, expedited land preparation, timely provision of fertilizers to farmers, and strategic planning for planting seasons. The accuracy of forecasts for this season is an impressive 75.5% for the long term, increasing significantly to 85% for short-term predictions.
Authorities and the general population are earnestly urged to adequately prepare in order to mitigate potential damages and minimize the risk of human losses.
While addressing Kicukiro local leaders on Gerayo Amahoro on Wednesday, August 23, the Rwanda National Police (RNP) spokesperson, CP John Bosco Kabera said that most road accidents are caused by reckless drivers, wrong overtaking, failure to respect safe distance and violation of right of way.
Other causes include failure to use side mirrors, driving on the wrong side of the road, speeding, destructed driving such as use of phone, and drunkenness.
More than 7800 accidents were recorded across the country between January and June this year, with the vast majority 97 percent involving male drivers.
During the same period, 399 road fatalities were recorded, with 331 of them male.
“It is always important to ensure that your automobile is in roadworthy conditions, have enough knowledge on traffic rules and regulations, regulate your speed, use indicators efficiently, avoid weaving between lanes or multi-tasking when driving, or driving while drunk,” CP Kabera told Kicukiro local leaders.
He added that practicing and understanding defensive driving, using headlights and interior lighting at night for the case of public vehicles, buckling up, respecting traffic lights and other roadside signs, and most importantly staying focused on the road, also contribute to road safety.
“You should be mentally ready for driving and healthy, with your eyes and ears on the road, no stress or under any influence like drugs and alcohol,” CP Kabera told the local leaders.
He also urged them to always keep children safe in the car by putting them in back seats with seatbelt or baby car-seat belt, and respect pedestrian zones.
“Be good advocates of Gerayo Amahoro, share road safety tips with your children, relatives and friends, behave responsibly while on road and be agents of change,” CP Kabera said.
Kicukiro District Executive Administrator, Antoine Mutsinzi reminded the district, sector and cells staff to be responsible drivers and to spearhead Gerayo Amahoro campaign in their respective areas of responsibility.
“Road safety is the responsibility of us all, and giving a service is not just helping, it’s a responsibility,” Mutsinzi said.
Kagame presided over the ceremony on August 24, where Sandrine Umutoni, now Minister of State for Youth, Jeanine Munyeshuli, Minister of State for Public Investment and Resource Mobilisation at the Ministry of Economic Planning and Finance, and Maj Gen Albert Murasira, Minister of Emergency Management, took their oaths of office.
Umutoni, formerly Imbuto Foundation Director General, Munyeshuli, formerly Chief Strategy Officer at the University of Global Health Equity, and Murasira, previously Minister of Defence, were appointed on August 22 as part of a cabinet reshuffle featuring several new appointments.
Kagame stressed the importance of individuals assuming accountability not only for themselves and their followers, but also for the nation. The inclusion of Umutoni and Munyeshuli, both women, in leadership positions was intentional, aimed at fostering a sense of youth leadership across various sectors critical to the nation’s development.
He clarified that this initiative is driven by their competence rather than gender, anticipating that it would enable the younger generation to better relate and aspire. Kagame emphasized that fostering this mindset from a young age holds promise for a future where the youth take charge with confidence.
Kagame also reminded the new leaders that their forthcoming responsibilities are a continuation of their prior roles, urging them to build upon past accomplishments and strive for further progress.
CTC, under the visionary leadership of Rwandan entrepreneur Janvier Nzamutuma, currently based in Luxembourg, has launched student enrollment for meticulously designed training programs with a primary focus on AML/KYC/compliance.
The brainchild of Nzamutuma, CTC offers an array of comprehensive consulting and training services tailored to the dynamic financial industry. Renowned for its expertise, CTC specializes in two core domains: Consulting and Training. The company has established a robust partnership with the esteemed European Business University of Luxembourg, leading to collaborative efforts on various pioneering initiatives.
In a recent feat, CTC celebrated the graduation of 50 accomplished individuals who had successfully completed rigorous training programs in finance. This triumph is attributed to the synergy between CTC and the European Business University of Luxembourg (EBU), offering an extensive range of courses spanning business, economics, and finance. These educational offerings have proven to be instrumental in propelling individuals from diverse backgrounds towards unprecedented professional growth and advancement.
CTC’s overarching mission is to equip individuals with essential financial skills coveted by employers, including leading insurance companies. The firm also extends its expertise to financial institutions, guiding them in adopting measures that align with international standards. Beyond this, CTC lends its support to investors, facilitating well-informed investment decisions and ensuring the seamless operation of their enterprises.
The forthcoming intake, scheduled to commence in September 2023, will be divided into two distinct phases. The initial phase will delve into theoretical foundations, allowing trainees to establish a robust understanding of fundamental concepts. The subsequent phase will focus on practical applications, enabling participants to apply their acquired knowledge through hands-on exercises.
Scheduled to begin from September 13 to December 9, 2023, the training session also offers flexibility for working professionals. Participants can engage in courses after regular working hours, with an option for virtual participation. Online sessions are set to take place every Wednesday from 7pm to 9pm, and the final examinations are slated for December 9th.
Prospective candidates aspiring to carve a niche in the financial sector and specialize in compliance are encouraged to register via a straightforward process.
By visiting the official website, www.ClearTrustconsulting.com, interested individuals can peruse the array of courses available and complete the user-friendly registration form. For further assistance, inquiries can be directed to 00352621265637.
The registration deadline is firmly set for September 3, 2023. CTC’s management also elaborates that examinations will be conducted in multiple locations, including Luxembourg and Rwanda, with additional instructions forthcoming for other countries.
A noteworthy highlight for graduates is the receipt of certificates accredited by EBU, a testament to the robust partnership between the institution and CTC. This accreditation serves as a badge of honor for graduates, validating their successful completion of the program.
The announcement was made at a press conference during the 15th BRICS Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Xi made the remarks at a press conference during the 15th BRICS Summit after South African President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that six countries, namely Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, were invited to become new BRICS members.
In response to the complaint, President Kagame has instructed relevant authorities from the City of Kigali, Ministry of Justice, and Ministry of Defence to address the situation.
The incident came to the President’s attention on Wednesday during the celebration of YouthConnekt’s Aluminum anniversary at Intare Conference Arena.
According to Musinguzi, he paid Rwf210 million in 2021 for a hotel located in the Kicukiro suburb of Kigali. However, despite his payment and reporting the matter to authorities in Kicukiro District, the ownership transfer has not occurred as expected.
Musinguzi also raised the issue of the duration of the certificates offered by the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) to new business owners. He suggested extending the validity period of the certificates from the current two years to at least five years, to better support their business establishment.
Furthermore, he appealed to the President to reconsider the age requirements for youths aspiring to join the army, proposing a lower age limit. He emphasized the youth’s eagerness to contribute to their country’s service.
Kagame, in response, called upon the mayor and relevant institutions, including the justice system, hotel managers, and district officials, to promptly address the issue of alleged exploitation by the retired Colonel. He also assured Musinguzi that concerns regarding RDB certificates and other related matters would be examined.
In line with Kagame’s directive, the concerned authorities engaged with Musinguzi to better understand the details of his claim. IGIHE has learnt that Musinguzi was invited to the Rwanda Defence Force headquarters on Thursday morning to receive assistance.
Present at the anniversary event was 23-year-old Mugisha Robinson, known as Producer Ele, who encouraged fellow youths to leverage Rwanda’s peaceful and secure environment for the country’s future development.
Ezekiel Nziyosenga, representing visually and hearing impaired youths, appealed to the President to facilitate their access to information on how they could join the army as handicapped individuals. He cited the example of Captain Michael Nsengiyumva, who returned to Rwanda and joined the army out of patriotism, despite receiving education abroad.
Kagame assured Nziyosenga that the army welcomes individuals from diverse professions and pledged to ensure inclusivity for handicapped individuals.
The President graced the celebration as the guest of honor, marking 10 years of YouthKonnekt’s impactful presence in Rwanda. The event was attended by Youth Minister Abdallah Utamutushima, representatives from Imbuto Foundation, UNDP, European Union, and other dignitaries.
Utamatwishima remarked, “As we reflect, we witness a transformation led by the determination of young innovators. YouthConnekt has provided Rwandan youth with a platform to thrive, enabling them to convert challenges within their communities into opportunities.”
Initiated by Rwanda in 2012, YouthConnekt has emerged as a successful collaboration between the Rwandan government, youth, and development partners, including UNDP, Imbuto Foundation, MTN, KOICA Rwanda, European Union, UNICEF, UNFPA, UN Women, WHO, MasterCard Foundation, Airtel Rwanda, Bank of Kigali, BPR, and others.
Since its inception, YouthConnekt Rwanda has generated employment for over 36,000 youths, trained 24,000 enthusiastic advocates, and engaged more than 4,000,000 volunteers.
Beyond Rwanda, YouthConnekt operates in 32 other African countries, aiming to connect youth from across the continent, offering them opportunities to interact with their leaders and access mentorship.
The Commonwealth Youth Awards will be presented in person this year at St James’s Palace in London, where the event will be attended by The Duke of Edinburgh. The Duke has long championed youth causes and promoted development opportunities for young people.
Commenting on the development, the Commonwealth’s Head of Social Policy Development, Layne Robinson, said: “These awards are a source of pride for us at the Secretariat, and particular the Secretary-General, as we have wholeheartedly committed to empowering and amplifying young people.
These 20 regional finalists have sacrificed much and it is with great pleasure that we have an opportunity to reward them. I also want to thank the Duke of Edinburgh for agreeing to attend the Awards and the Queen’s Commonwealth Trust for their continued partnership.”
The Youth Awards will be one of the main side events of the Commonwealth Youth Ministers Meeting (CYMM), which takes place from 11-15 September 2023. Ministers and senior officials from across 56 nations will gather at Marlborough House, the Commonwealth headquarters, to deliberate on proposals, share best practices and decide on future plans to support young people across the Commonwealth. It will be the 10th time they will be convening, and this meeting will be held under the theme: ‘Aim Higher: Delivering More for Young People in the Commonwealth.’
While there will be celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the Commonwealth Youth Programme, the meeting will be focused on charting the way forward with the input of young people, experts, and youth workers in collaboration with the Ministers, Senior Officials and policymakers who will be gathered for CYMM.
On Thursday, 14th September, those gathered for the Commonwealth Youth Ministers Meeting will celebrate the achievements of the Youth Awards finalists. The celebrations will also unveil the much-anticipated Commonwealth Young Person of the Year.
Rwandan Ghislain Irakoze has emerged among the 2023 finalists for the Africa region. He featured on the list along with other Africans including Mawuse Christina Gyisun (Ghana), Deliwe Makata (Malawi) and Emmanuel Tlemu (Republic of Tanzania).
Each of the 20 finalists, from across five regions, will receive a trophy, a certificate and £1,000 as their prize. The top finalist from each region will be recognised as the regional winner and will receive £3,000.
One of the five regional winners will then become the Commonwealth Young Person of the Year 2023 and be awarded £5,000.
In continuation of the Commonwealth Secretariat’s partnership with the Queen’s Commonwealth Trust (QCT), an additional prize of £20,000 in funding will also be presented to one project at the award ceremony, to be delivered over the course of two years. The winner will be enrolled into QCT’s Youth Ventures Programme and given access to coaching and development opportunities.
