Ramsar Independent Advisory Committee on Wetland City Accreditation selected the City of Kigali, among the 25 accredited cities for the second edition of the Wetland City Accreditation.
The Wetland City Accreditation scheme encourages cities in close proximity to and dependent on wetlands – especially designated Ramsar Wetlands of International Importance – to promote the conservation and wise use of urban and peri-urban wetlands, as well as sustainable socio-economic benefits for local people.
This initiative also represents a direct link between Sustainable Development Goal 11 – “Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable” – and SDG6 – “Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all”.
“As cities grow and demand land increases, the tendency is to encroach on wetlands, which are often viewed as wasteland,” said Martha Rojas Urrego, Secretary General of the Ramsar Convention. “But urban wetlands are prize land, not wasteland and therefore they should be integrated into the development and management plans of cities.”
To date, out of 43 wetlands Accredited Cities in the World, only 4 are in Africa namely; Ghar el Melh (Tunisia), Mitsinjo (Madagascar), Kigali (Rwanda); Ifrane (Morocco), and Cape Town (South Africa).
Kigali Wetlands have been threatened by human activities mainly conversion to agriculture, human settlements, and commercial and industrial activities decreasing the flood and pollution abatement capacity of wetlands.
Strategic ecological rehabilitation solutions that will help to reverse these impacts were put in place, and so far, the following have been achieved:
• All illegal business activities inside wetlands were evacuated;
• The Kigali wetland masterplan was approved to support Kigali in efficiently managing and utilizing its wetland system sustainably;
• Nyandungu wetland has been restored into a healthy urban wetland eco-tourism park that covers 121.7 hectares in size, including 70 hectares of wetlands and 50 hectares of forests, home to more than 62 local plant species and is home to more than 100 bird species and 17,000 trees made up of 55 indigenous species.
It has a network of paths, bicycle tracks, a service road, bird habitats, a medicinal plant garden, and picnic areas to provide the facilities required by tourists and visitors. Included in the project is a concession for a restaurant in a central location on the site.
{{Rehabilitation of Nyandungu Wetland has restored the following services:}}
{{1. Environmental Services: }} They have demonstrated how Nature Based Solutions can be used to attenuate floodwater, control flooding and water pollution (Wetland restoration through the spreading of channels and creation of attenuation ponds and use of gabions to allow slow and natural water movement to remove pollutants and manage floods). – They have restored flora (A forest ring around the site made up of native and indigenous plant species) and fauna (The creation of a bird habitat, and attraction of beneficial species of butterflies). In fact, we have restored ecosystems and biodiversity
{{2. Social services:}} They created spaces for the community to meet, mingle and socialize within a safe and secure environment (Eco-tourism opportunities including Bird watching).
3. Recreational services: They served the recreational need of the community and the City of Kigali as a whole through walking and jogging facilities, biking, and picnicking.
4. Economical services: – Land values have increased in the surrounding areas. – Employment created after completion during its operation and management (A restaurant, Ablution facilities, Iconic Entrance, and Maintenance House). – Revenue from various activities and services provided in the park as well as local and international tourism.
5. Educational and Research services: – The project has contributed to the implementation of Rwanda’s Green Growth and Climate Resilience Strategy. – Education through demonstration of how wetlands work and their benefits (Information Center). – Research sites on wetland ecosystems and species by students, institutions, and universities
As part of our Vision 2050 of developing a Green City, we are completing the study to rehabilitate 5 wetlands namely Rwampara, Gikondo, Rugenge-Rwintare, Kibumba, and Nyabugogo lower urban wetlands as key priorities for wetland rehabilitation based on their critical contribution to effective management of wetlands in Kigali, that cover 491 ha in total. The main objectives of wetland rehabilitation in the City of Kigali are as follows:
a. Flood mitigation acknowledging climate changes.
b. Improvement of wetlands’ biodiversity.
c. Water quality improvement.
d. Enhancement of the city’s landscape and development of recreational activities
Sustainable utilization of rehabilitated urban wetlands will be achieved by acknowledging the multiple demands on the urban space that include public amenities and socio-economic potential.
This may include the establishment of recreation parks with low-impact infrastructure for leisure and environmental education purposes that would promote public awareness of biodiversity, water provision and quality, and other functions.
It may also include community agricultural activities, eco-tourism parks, or other economic initiatives where these may enhance synergy with local communities and may even support wider water security and climate adaptation objectives of the city.
The City of Kigali aims to promote the sustainable management of wetlands by re-establishing wetland habitats, introducing heterogeneous indigenous habitats in the buffer zone, and supporting, flood attenuation in the city as well as livelihood diversification to enhance incomes for local communities through enhancement of recreational and tourism opportunities.
The decision has been reached after the accused and defence lawyers claimed that they can’t continue to stand trial without knowing whereabouts of witnesses.
Prince Kid and defence lawyers put forward the objection after observing that witnesses were to attend the court session virtually.
His defence lawyer Nyembo disclosed that they want witnesses to provide testimonies physically in a selected place instead of doing it virtually via Skype.
Prince Kid was arrested on 8th May 2022 over alleged sexual abuse against some of participants of Miss Rwanda beauty pageant which he organized for long through his company, Rwanda Inspiration Backup.
He faces charges including soliciting or offering sexual favours, and harassment connected to sexual relations.
Apart from these people washed away, six houses were also destroyed.
It poured down few days after the weatherman forecasted heavy rain in different parts of the country between 10th and 20th November 2022.
The Ministry of Emergency Management (MINEMA) continues to remind people to take into consideration all measures instituted to prevent rain related disasters by tightening roofs among others.
They are called upon to collect rain water by applying appropriate techniques, digging waterways, building terraces, and remain vigilant as they cross rivers and bridges.
As the final days of negotiations approach for the annual summit, attended by more than 35,000 delegates from almost 200 nations, the Secretary-General called for actions that will close the gaps on emissions, finance and justice, while taking into account the needs of vulnerable countries.
In her statement to the conference plenary, the Secretary-General Scotland emphasised: “As climate change advances, we have lost momentum. The gap on emissions, finance and justice has widened, while the window for action continues to narrow.
“It is our duty to close that gap – and this process is our only chance. Because we cannot compromise with catastrophe, so we must compromise with each other.”
She highlighted the series of climate disasters that have affected millions of people across the Commonwealth in recent months. In Pakistan, devastating floods have claimed more than 1,700 lives and affected 33 million people since June. Similarly in Nigeria, more than 600 people have died and 1.3 million displaced, due to the worst floods seen in the country in more than a decade.
The Secretary-General continued: “Vulnerable states face being consumed by the waves or drowned by debt. The unthinkable has become typical…
“We must reject the violence of inaction against those who need us to succeed, now and for generations to come, and commit ourselves to action on land, ocean, energy, finance and resilience.”
The Commonwealth comprises 56 member countries brought together by shared values and principles, including 33 small states, 25 of which are small island developing states.
In 1989, Commonwealth Heads of Government met in Langkawi, Malaysia, and raised the alarm on the “permanent and irreversible damage” to the environment, demanding a “co-ordinated global effort” to address the challenge.
Since then, the Commonwealth has championed global advocacy around climate change and ocean action. This year, Secretary-General Scotland is heading a delegation from the Commonwealth Secretariat to COP27, with the aim of amplifying the concerns of member countries, advocating for small and other vulnerable states, supporting partnerships and raising awareness about the various Commonwealth programmes offered to support members.
This includes initiatives such as the Commonwealth Living Lands Charter, the Commonwealth Blue Charter, the Commonwealth Climate Finance Access Hub and the Commonwealth Sustainable Energy Agenda.
Dr. Gashumba presented credentials to the President of Iceland, Guðni Th. Jóhannesson on Tuesday 15th November 2022.
She will oversee Rwanda’s interests in Iceland with residence in Sweden.
During the ceremony, the President of Iceland commended President Paul Kagame’s strong conviction towards gender equality and commitment towards better life of Rwandans. He said that it is a common vision between the two countries and ‘both put these visions into action’.
Amb. Gashumba conveyed the greetings from President Kagame to Jóhannesson and presented an overview of Rwanda’s development progress and strong commitment to improve the lives of its citizens after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
In September 2022, Rwanda and Iceland signed an MoU on political consultations.
Amb. Gashumba informed Jóhannesson that Rwanda is keen on strengthening its relations with Iceland, especially through trade and investment, tourism, fishing and education, and commended Iceland’s commitments in several of Rwanda’s priority sectors including human rights and gender equality.
Both Jóhannesson and Amb. Gashumba pledged their commitment to further developing bilateral relations and strengthening cooperation between the two countries.
During her visit to Iceland, Dr. Gashumba held several meetings with senior officials at the Icelandic Ministry of Foreign Affairs including Ms Nína Björk Jónsdóttir, Director General, GRÓ – Centre for Capacity Development, Sustainability and Societal Change; Martin Eyjólfsson, Permanent Secretary of State, Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Mr Þórður Bjarni Guðjónsson, Director, Directorate for Development Cooperation, Members of Parliament including Arndís Anna Kristínardóttir Gunnarsdóttir, Jódís Skúladóttir, Lilja Rannveig Sigurðardóttir as well as Dr. Jón Atli Benediktsson, Rector of the University of Iceland.
