The Head of State hosted the State Banquet at Kigali Convention Centre on the evening of Thursday 23rd June 2022.
As he addressed participants, Kagame said that the world went through tough moments where he started wondering if the event planned four years ago would ever come.
“We have lived through a lot since 2020. Each of our countries, our regions and the Commonwealth as a whole. The Covid pandemic was a terrible moment in history which sh0pwed us yet again the value of cooperation and community. We can’t prosper without working together,” he said.
Kagame thanked participants of the event for making the trip to Rwanda.
“It is a huge honour to us. Thank you for staying the course with us, despite all the ups and downs during the pandemic. Above all, I thank you for the trust you have placed in Rwanda, to serve as host of the Commonwealth family of nations and as incoming Chair-in-Office,” he stated.
The President also commended the Commonwealth Secretariat for having worked with Rwanda to organize the meeting and leaders gracing the event as well.
“I want to thank all the special guests who have travelled here to enrich our deliberations. Your presence and participation demonstrate that the Commonwealth has a meaningful role to play, in shaping the global agenda,” he noted.
“I would like two of our special guests in particular. One is Gianni Infantino, the President of FIFA. He often says, football is the only sport. Do you believe him? He wants you to believe him. Well, we can agree that football has a unique ability to bring people together. So does cricket,” added Kagame.
Through football, Kagame said, people can communicate and understand each other wherever they are from.
The second guest to whom he extended special thanks is the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. The Head of State described him as a friend of and partner of so many Commonwealth countries.
“His country has deep historical ties to the Commonwealth. Qatar, under his leadership, is at the forefront of finding solutions to some of the most urgent challenges of the day, from energy, security, to humanitarian response in the Middle East, and the global fight against corruption,” stated Kagame.
The Heads of Government are convening in a meeting this Friday expected to admit two new members of Commonwealth including Togo and Gabon and elect the new Secretary-General.
Over 120 Commonwealth Sports and Health Ministers, sports industry professionals and stakeholders from bodies like UNESCO, the Commonwealth Advisory Body on Sport (CABOS), the Olympic movement and FIFA have come together for a roundtable breakfast in Kigali– ahead of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) on Saturday.
Birmingham 2022 (starting in just over a month’s time on 28 July) was hailed as an opportunity to leverage the power and popularity of sport to drive social change, promote sustainable development and improve global health outcomes following the pandemic.
Speaking at the opening of the event, Dr Suddhoo, Arjoon, Deputy Secretary-General, Office of the Secretary-General said: “Sport serves as a major catalyst for inclusive development for all 2.6 billion Commonwealth citizens, 60 % of whom are young people under the age of 30.
“Beyond its convening power, sport is also an important tool for ensuring that the social and health gains made prior to the COVID-19 pandemic are restored and accelerated. This is what the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, UK, represent.
“The Games speak to the resilient and inspiring nature of sport, they showcase how we are finding ways to re-energise communities and development opportunities, whilst reminding us of our collective heritage, embedded within our shared Commonwealth values.”
It was echoed by Lord Ahmad, Minister for Foreign Commonwealth & Development Affairs, who shared the UK Government’s vision for the Games and its legacy.
He said: “Big sporting events like the Commonwealth Games are an opportunity to see world-class sportspeople in action.
“The UK has a brilliant track record for hosting events like this – from the London 2012 Olympics to the 2014 Games back in Glasgow. And, every time we do, we’re reminded of the sheer power of sport and its impact on communities. From positive memories of sporting achievements, to employment opportunities and images of children learning to swim, young people representing a local athletics club and communities coming together to get active.”
He showed a new trailer for the Commonwealth Games.
Also speaking at the breakfast, facilitated by Commonwealth Secretariat, hosted by the Government of Rwanda and and sponsored by the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF), was CGF President, Dame Louise Martin CBE.
She said: “We believe sport has the power to bring us together, reconcile our differences and inspire us to change our lives for the better.
“It is sport that underpins our values of humanity, equality and destiny. It also sits at the centre of our vision which states: ‘Through sport, we create peaceful, sustainable and prosperous communities across the Commonwealth’.
We see this vision manifesting itself in the lead up to the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.”
The roundtable heard how the inspiring example of the Games, and the athletes taking part, should be used to galvanise support from a broad spectrum of leaders for development ambitions across the Commonwealth – particularly when Ministers come together at the accompanying 10th Commonwealth Sports Ministers Meeting (10CSMM) in Birmingham on 27 July. The theme of will be ‘Creating an inclusive and resilient sport sector; enhancing the contribution of sport to the Sustainable Development Goals’ and will see Ministers agreeing and setting sport-related goals for the Commonwealth.
Participants in the roundtable noted the importance of maintaining a collaborative Commonwealth approach and building partnerships between stakeholders and governments to fully realise the potential of sport as a development tool – especially as member states explore policy options in the post-COVID-19 context.
After an hour of lively discussion, it was also suggested that the Commonwealth Games be used as an example to inspire and fuel stakeholder’s ambitions towards creating fairer, more equal societies and to tackling burgeoning conditions like diabetes and heart disease.
Rwanda Minister for Sport, Aurore Mimosa Munyangaju said: “Rwanda remains a strong supporter of inclusion through sports. As a matter of fact, sport has played and plays to date an important role in the reconstruction of our nation and of our people from our tragic past.
“Today we are ever more convinced that sports is a much needed tool not only for health, professional achievements (to mention but a few), but also for bringing people together with a common understanding and a common goal.”
{The Commonwealth Secretariat and The NO MORE Foundation have been joined by HRH Duchess of Cornwall for the launch of new guidelines for the 54 Commonwealth countries to stop and prevent violence against women and girls (VAWG).}
Launched today at a special event coinciding with the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM),The Commonwealth’s and NO MORE’s new recommended “Whole System Approach” strategy to help end VAWG and improve gender equality urges more consistent and effective collaboration between governments, civil society and the private sector. The effort builds on Commonwealth Says NO MORE initiative first launched in 2019 and comes at a critical time in the wake of the dramatic surge in domestic and sexual violence during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In addition to the keynote address given by HRH The Duchess of Cornwall, the event included several high-level speakers such as UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed; First Lady of Rwanda, Jeannette Kagame; Dr. Fatima Maada Bio, First Lady of Sierra Leone; Patricia Scotland , Commonwealth Secretary-General; Abdulla Shahid, President of the United Nations General Assembly; and Pamela Zaballa, Global CEO of The NO MORE Foundation.
A panel, moderated by Ghanaian actress and activist Joselyn Dumas, discussed several topics related to VAWG including the impact on mental health and the importance of engaging men and boys to be part of the solution. Also discussed was the Commonwealth’s facilitators guide to assess the economic costs of VAWG.
Globally one in three women and one in six men have experienced a form of domestic or sexual violence in their lifetime. Moreover, domestic, and sexual violence escalated and intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The impact of the pandemic on women and girls trapped in their homes is evident in the high-incidence calls to domestic violence helplines that increased up to 500% across Commonwealth countries during the pandemic. Ultimately, the Sustainable Development Goals, especially Goal 5 on achieving gender equality and empowerment of all women and girls, cannot be attained by 2030 without effectively addressing violence against women and girls.
In the keynote address, HRH The Duchess of Cornwall said: “In the strength of our unity, we, the women and men of the Commonwealth, stand with victims and survivors, who, despite the temptation to hide away in silence, speak up so that others know they aren’t alone – whether in Africa, Asia, Europe, the Pacific or the Caribbean and Americas. In so doing, we have the opportunity to end gender-based violence and those laws and practices that discriminate against women. And each one of us must take personal responsibility not to let this opportunity be lost.”
The Commonwealth Secretary-General, Patricia Scotland, spoke about the devastating effects VAWG can have on survivors and their families: “It carries a profoundly negative impact on women and girls’ participation in education, employment and civic life and undermines poverty reduction. It results in lost employment and productivity, and it drains resources from social services, the justice system, health-care agencies and employers. These are just some of the reasons that I have made tackling violence against women such a central part of my life.“
Speaking of the work of The NO MORE Foundation, CEO Pamella Zaballa said: “The culture change needed to stop violence against women and girls is so vast that no single agency or organisation can make enough progress alone. We urgently need leaders to invest in long-term prevention strategies and commit to working collaboratively on them, engaging every government agency, NGOs and the private sector. That’s why NO MORE is joining with the Commonwealth Secretariat to urge all Commonwealth member countries to adopt a ‘whole system approach’ with the help of the toolkit we are launching today. Together, we have the collective power to make a real and lasting difference and achieve the SDG5.”
At the end of her speech, the Secretary-General concluded with these words: “Each of us can be a leader, each of us can make change. By working together – listening to each other, inspiring each other – we can move forward with even greater determination to make sure everywhere in the world is safe for women – and nowhere is safe for those who commit violence against women.”
The meeting has allowed ministers the opportunity to hold formal discussions on the CHOGM theme, Delivering a Common Future: Connecting, Innovating, Transforming, focusing on three topical issues.
In her opening remarks, the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Patricia Scotland , said that it is a source of great joy that leaders are finally back together, in person, at CHOGM, after so many years of change and challenge, and so much detailed planning.
Since CHOGM 2018 in London, she said, the bloc has worked intensively to help member countries…responding to their needs, priorities and requests.
“We have blended our technical assistance with advocacy at the highest levels of the international system. This week, here in Kigali, we have a precious opportunity. To come closer together, once again, in spirit as well as in person. In a changing world, we need unity and purpose, drawn deep from the wells of Commonwealth history, values and potential, to achieve our shared goals and realise our potential,” noted Scotland.
“In that effort, you will always have a willing servant and partner in me, and the Secretariat. We stand ready and eager to implement the fresh ideas and mandates of this CHOGM,” she added.
Ministers discussed new and evolving challenges to ensuring peaceful, just, and inclusive societies, and how the Commonwealth is addressing these challenges now and in the future.
They also considered multifaceted issues relating to sustainable and inclusive development such as climate change, the environment and oceans, sustainable energy, youth and innovation. Ministers discussed how member states should address these complex issues, with a special focus on the needs of small states and least developed countries.
As countries around the world continue to recover from the deep impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, Ministers also examined the severe consequences of the pandemic on public health systems, trade, and connectivity, and how governments can build back better systems capable of handling future crises. Ministers heard how the Commonwealth can strengthen health security and resilience, support trading systems and small states, and harness other opportunities for a sustainable and inclusive post-COVID-19 recovery.
Several high-level guests were invited to attend the meeting. Ministers had the opportunity to hear from the UN Deputy Secretary-General, Amina J. Mohammed, and the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who presented their organisations’ perspectives and offered ideas for greater inter-organisational collaboration to tackle these matters.
The meeting outcomes will inform the policy agenda for the gathering of heads of government at CHOGM, scheduled to open on 24th June 2022.
Shekhar Mehta visited the memorial accommodating over 250,000 victims of Genocide against Tutsi on 22nd June 2022.
He was accompanied by members of Rotary Club including the Governor of Rotary Club District 9150, Edgard Cyr Tougouma; Dr. Jean D’Amour Manirere, the Assistant District Governor in Rwanda; Jeannette Rugera, the Executive Secretary of District 9150 and the President of Rotary Club Kigali Virunga, Suman Alla.
After receiving explanations on history of Genocide against Tutsi, Shekhar Mehta said that he was moved by the extreme cruelty with which it was perpetrated.
“What I witnessed rose my emotions. I have been shocked and scared by dreadful circumstances under which victims were killed,” he said.
Despite the dark past of the country endured, Shekhar said that he was impressed by Rwandans’ reconciliation where perpetrators and survivors live in harmony.
He disclosed that the greatest lesson learnt at the memorial is about Rwandans’ reconciliation efforts where he saw a picture of a lady pointing to a man who killed her children but forgave the perpetrator after revealing whereabouts they were dumped.
Shekhar said that many people need to learn from Rwanda’s reconciliation and urged the world to visit Kigali Genocide Memorial to learn about what happened in Rwanda, to get inspiration to resist propagandists denying and trivializing the Genocide.
He also called on people to make an effort to live in harmony and stand against whatever tending to lead them into ethnic divisionism.
Shekhar Mehta is the President of Rotary International in 2021-2022.
He is also the chair of the Skyline Group, a real estate development company he founded. He is also a director of Operation Eyesight Universal (India), a Canada-based organization.
Mehta has been actively involved in disaster response and is a trustee of ShelterBox, UK. After the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, he helped build nearly 500 homes for families affected by the disaster.
He pioneered a program that has performed more than 1,500 life-changing heart surgeries in South Asia. He is also the architect of the TEACH Program, which promotes literacy throughout India and has reached thousands of schools.
A Rotary member since 1984, Mehta has served Rotary as director, member or chair of several committees, zone coordinator, training leader, member of The Rotary Foundation Cadre of Technical Advisers, and district governor. He is also the chair of Rotary Foundation (India).
Mehta has received Rotary’s Service Above Self Award and The Rotary Foundation’s Citation for Meritorious Service and Distinguished Service Awards.
Rotary Club International was established 116 years ago. It is currently comprised of 1.2 million members from more than 200 countries.
The club has been in Rwanda for more than 20 years where it has established clubs that contributed to the country’s development in different areas.
“The historical trend of openness and development will not reverse course, and our shared desire to meet challenges together through cooperation will remain as strong as ever,” Xi said, calling on BRICS countries to rise to challenge and forge ahead with resolve toward the goal of building a community with a shared future for mankind.
The BRICS mechanism, featuring five major emerging economies, namely Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, has travelled a glorious path over the past 16 years since its inception in 2006, and has become a positive, stable and constructive force in international affairs.
{{Solidarity for peace, stability}}
“We should embrace solidarity and coordination and jointly maintain world peace and stability,” said Xi, adding that peace, which is the common cause of humanity, should be pursued and defended by all. He called on all countries to stay true to the pledge of the UN Charter and fulfill the mission of maintaining peace.
He said the tragedies of the past tell us that hegemony, group politics and bloc confrontation bring no peace or security, but will only lead to wars and conflicts.
“The Ukraine crisis is another wake-up call for all in the world. It reminds us that blind faith in the so-called ‘position of strength’ and attempts to expand military alliances and seek one’s own security at the expense of others will only land oneself in a security dilemma.”
In the speech, Xi reaffirmed the Global Security Initiative, calling on all countries to stay committed to the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, stay committed to respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries, stay committed to abiding by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, stay committed to taking the legitimate security concerns of all countries seriously, stay committed to peacefully resolving differences and disputes between countries through dialogue and consultation, and stay committed to maintaining security in both traditional and non-traditional domains.
“We in the international community should reject zero-sum games and jointly oppose hegemonism and power politics. We should build a new type of international relations based on mutual respect, fairness, justice and win-win cooperation. We should be clear that we are a community in which all countries share a common stake, and we should see that the light of peace will reach all corners of the world,” the Chinese president said.
{{Cooperation for sustainable development}}
Development holds the key to solving various difficult problems and delivering better lives to the people. In the speech, Xi pointed out that, at this time, the global development process has hit major roadblocks, and the global efforts to implement the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development have suffered major setbacks.
“Last year, I put forward the Global Development Initiative, and I called on all countries to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, forge united, equal, balanced and inclusive global development partnership, and promote cooperation in a wide range of areas such as poverty reduction, public health, education, digital connectivity and industrialization,” Xi said.
He called on BRICS members to deepen cooperation to better safeguard food and energy security, seize opportunities presented by the new scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation, help developing countries speed up development of the digital economy and green transformation, and engage in cooperation on COVID-19 response to beat the virus at an early date.
Noting that BRICS cooperation has now entered a new stage of high-quality development, Xi expressed the hope that business leaders will continue to act with tenacity and in a pioneering spirit, tap into the complementarity of BRICS countries’ diverse economic structures and resources, upgrade cooperation on trade, investment and finance, expand cooperation on cross-border e-commerce, logistics, local currencies and credit rating, and keep industrial and supply chains safe and unclogged.
{{Keep global economy open}}
At present, some important industrial and supply chains are suffering from deliberate disruptions, commodity prices remain high and are fluctuating, global inflation keeps rising, the international financial market is in turmoil, and global economic recovery is losing steam.
At such a critical juncture, President Xi called on countries to strengthen macroeconomic policy coordination to prevent the slowdown and even halt of the global recovery, stay committed to openness and inclusiveness, eliminate all barriers to the development of productivity, and steer globalization in the right direction.
He said economic globalization is a response to development of productivity and, as such, represents an unstoppable historical trend. Anyone who attempts to turn back the wheel of history and block others’ way will only have his own path blocked.
“We should uphold the WTO-centered multilateral trading system, remove barriers to trade, investment and technology, and keep the global economy open. We should promote extensive consultation and joint contribution to deliver shared benefits, enhance global economic governance, and increase the representation and say of emerging markets and developing countries,” the Chinese president said.
The ground-breaking event of BioNTech Group vaccine manufacturing facility, based on BioNTainer modular system was attended by different dignitaries including the President of Ghana, Nana Akufo-Addo; the CEO of BioNTech, Prof Dr Uğur Şahin; the Chairperson of African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat; the Director General of World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and Senegalese Minister of Foreign Affairs, Aïssata Tall Sall among others.
President Kagame has said that the ground-breaking event is a great milestone leading to vaccine equity.
“This groundbreaking is really a historic milestone towards vaccine equity. Rwanda intends to build on this investment by putting in place the conditions to attract other manufacturers and innovators,” he said.
““Rwanda fully supports BioNTech’s commitment to power this factory entirely with green energy, and we will work together closely to achieve that. Vaccine manufacturing requires advanced regulatory capability as well as a highly-skilled human capital. I am happy to announce that the cabinet has approved the establishment of the African Biomanufacturing Institute,” Kagame added.
The Head of State highlighted that the institute ‘will provide training and qualification for this industry’.
“Working together with different universities and training providers as well as private sector partners like BioNTech, this innovative institution will provide solution for workforce development from short courses through to graduate degrees,” he noted.
The President also disclosed that Rwanda Food and Drugs Authority (Rwanda FDA) has signed a twinning agreement with the European Union.
“Through a consortium led by France, Germany and Belgium; our regulatory capacity will gain expertize and support from these partner agencies,” he said.
The CEO of BioNTech, Prof Uğur Şahin has explained that they want to enter first clinical trial of Malaria and Tuberculosis vaccines by the end of this year and beginning next year.
“It is clear to us that this potential future vaccines among other life-saving medicines must be produced in Africa, for Africa,” he said.
Prof Uğur Şahin further revealed that the company wants to launch state-of-the art mRNA vaccine factory for the production of vaccines in about 18 months.
He underscored that the vaccines to be manufactured will help to be better prepared for possible future pandemics.
Africa seeks to manufacture 60% of needed vaccines in 20 years from the current 1 percent.
The country’s interests in Rwanda have been represented through Office of the High Commission based in Kiyovu of Kigali City and headed by François Quenneville-Dumont.
According to Sada ElBalad English media house, the development has been confirmed by Canada’s Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly following the arrival in Rwanda of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to attend Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2022 taking place in Kigali.
“We will be opening an embassy for the first time here in Rwanda, in Kigali,” Joly told reporters. “And we’ll have an ambassador also working from… Kigali.”
The foreign minister said that Ottawa needs more resources and tools for Rwanda because the voice of Canada “needs to be heard.”
According to Joly, Ottawa will also appoint a new ambassador to the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in a bid to invest in Canada’s diplomacy.
In Kigali, Prime Minister Trudeau will take part in meetings with Commonwealth leaders and roundtable discussions on the climate economy.
He is expected to depart for Schloss Elmau, a resort in the Bavarian Alps of Germany, for the G7 leaders’ summit on Saturday before heading to a NATO meeting in Madrid next week. He will also meet Pedro Sanchez, the prime minister of Spain.
Johnson has arrived in Rwanda to attend Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2022 taking place in Kigali, the capital of Rwanda.
“President Kagame received the Rt. Hon Boris Johnson, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom who is in Kigali for #CHOGM2022. The two leaders held talks on existing partnerships between Rwanda and the UK including the recent Migration and Economic Development Partnership,” Rwanda’s Presidency has revealed via Twitter handle.
Rwanda and UK signed the partnership on 14th April 2022. Under this partnership, the UK will provide an upfront investment of £120 million to fund invaluable opportunities for Rwandans and migrants including secondary qualifications, vocational and skills training, language lessons and higher education.
These asylum seekers from African countries and others outside the continent will be treated decently like Rwandans upon arrival. It is expected that those willing to return to their mother lands will be helped to do so.
The plane carrying the first batch of migrants deported from UK to Rwanda under the recently signed Migration and Economic Development Partnership was expected to land in Kigali on Wednesday 15th June 2022.
Few hours before scheduled time for the plane to take off, the flight was stopped after a late intervention from the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) led to fresh challenges in the UK courts.
After the judgement from the ECtHR, passengers were removed from the plane which had to take off on Tuesday at 11:30 p.m. of Kigali Time.
The human rights court said that it had suspended the deportation of one migrant from Iraq who was onboard the plane.
It also maintained that UK must wait for the final judgement next month before further action.
Following the last minute cancellation; the Spokesperson of the Government of Rwanda, Yolande Makolo has said that Rwanda remains committed to welcome the migrants when they arrive.
“We are not deterred by these developments. Rwanda remains fully committed to making this partnership work. The current situation of people making dangerous journeys cannot continue as it is causing untold suffering to so many,” she said.
“Rwanda stands ready to receive the migrants when they do arrive and offer them safety and opportunity in our country,” added Makolo.
The second day of his visit to Rwanda, on Wednesday 22nd June 2022, was marked by different activities including a visit to Kigali Genocide Memorial, holding talks with President Paul Kagame among others.
Prince Charles who was accompanied by the Duchess of Cornwall, Camilla is in Rwanda the first time to represent Queen Elizabeth II.
Below are activities that marked the second-day visit of Prince Charles to Rwanda.
{{Kigali Genocide Memorial}}
Prince Charles started his visits to Kigali Genocide Memorial, where he received a tour of the Memorial’s exhibits, including personal effects and photographs of the victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
Outside, The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall were shown the mass graves beside the Wall of Names and paid tribute to victims laid there.
The Kigali Genocide Memorial is the final resting place for more than 250,000 victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi and was officially opened in 2004, to mark the tenth commemoration of the Genocide.
The centre serves as a place where survivors can grieve for and remember their lost loved ones. It also serves as a museum where both local and international visitors can learn about the history and consequences of the Genocide.
{{Meeting with President Kagame and First Lady}}
Prince Charles and Camilla then travelled to the Office of the President, where they were welcomed by a Guard of Honour from the Republic Guard, before being received on the steps by the President of the Republic of Rwanda, Paul Kagame and the First Lady of the Republic of Rwanda, Jeannette Kagame.
{{Nyamata Genocide Memorial}}
Following meetings at the Office of the President, The Prince of Wales visited the Nyamata Genocide Memorial, one of Rwanda’s six National Genocide Memorials.
Having looked inside the church to observe the clothing and personal effects of the victims, The Prince of Wales moved outside to lay a wreath on the mass grave, before pausing for a moment of reflection and signing the visitors book.
{{Mbyo Reconciliation Village}}
After visiting the Nyamata Genocide Memorial, The Prince travelled to the Mbyo Reconciliation Village, where he was welcomed by local leaders, and traditional singing and dancing by the villagers.
He then met with six Genocide survivors and perpetrators, who now live together in the village and listened to a testimony from both a survivor and perpetrator.
The Mbyo Reconciliation Village is one of eight similar reconciliation villages in Rwanda, where survivors and perpetrators of the Genocide against the Tutsi live alongside each other. The Perpetrators re-integrate into society by publicly apologizing for their crimes and the survivors profess their forgiveness.
{{Albertine Rift Conservation Society agroforestry site}}
Concluding day two, The Prince of Wales visited the Albertine Rift Conservation Society (ARCOS) agroforestry site. Here, he walked through the tree nursery and learnt more about the work ARCOS is doing to enhance biodiversity conservation and the sustainable management of natural resources.
The Prince of Wales then continued towards the bank of the wetland, where he witnessed a solar-powered irrigation system and heard about efforts to conserve the wetland through changes to cultivation practices.
{{Meeting with President Kagame at Urugwiro Village}}
{{Visit to Kigali Genocide Memorial}}
{{Visit to Nyamata Genocide Memorial}}
{{Visit to Mbyo Reconciliation Village}}
{{Albertine Rift Conservation Society agroforestry site visit}}
