Macron made the remarks at the World Economic Forum annual meeting in Davos, arguing that Europe must become “more realistic” in defending its interests as global competition intensifies and rules-based governance weakens.
Addressing rising trade tensions, Macron criticized the United States for an “endless accumulation of new tariffs,” describing the approach as “fundamentally unacceptable.”
“Even more so when they are used as leverage against territorial sovereignty,” he said.
Macron urged renewed commitment to effective multilateralism, saying international law is being trampled and collective governance weakened, creating a world in which “the law of the strongest” increasingly prevails.
France holds the G7 presidency this year, Macron said, pledging to use it to promote frank dialogue and practical solutions, while calling on partners to avoid trade wars and protectionist escalation that “will only produce losers.”
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Saturday that the United States will impose 10-percent tariffs on all goods from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, Britain, the Netherlands and Finland over Greenland starting on Feb. 1.
Those tariffs would increase to 25 percent on June 1, and would continue until a deal is reached for the United States to purchase Greenland, he said on social media.
Greenland, the world’s largest island, is a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, with Copenhagen retaining control over defense and foreign policy. Since returning to office in 2025, Trump has repeatedly expressed a desire to “obtain” Greenland.
This announcement came as part of his broader strategy to bring stability to the region following the prolonged conflict.
The Board of Peace’s primary objectives include ensuring the continuation of the current ceasefire, facilitating demilitarization, aiding in the reconstruction of Gaza’s infrastructure, and helping the region transition from conflict to peace. The plan also aims to attract international investment for rebuilding efforts and improving governance capacity in Gaza.
The Board of Peace would be an unprecedented initiative in the realm of international diplomacy, as it would be led under U.S. oversight, with President Trump personally serving as its chair.
While the United Nations typically handles peacekeeping efforts, this new Board seeks to offer an alternative, with a more strategic oversight role in managing peace and security. This approach has drawn both support and criticism from various quarters, as countries analyze the potential shift in how international peace efforts are managed.
So far, over 10 countries have accepted invitations to join the initiative, with several nations making public announcements. Countries like the United Arab Emirates, Belarus, Morocco, Hungary, and Canada are among the first to confirm their participation.
Notably, countries contributing $1 billion to the Board will be granted permanent membership, while others will have the opportunity to serve on a three-year term basis without the financial contribution. This unique membership model has stirred some debate, with some countries, like Canada, opting to participate but not contribute financially for permanent seats.
The initiative is still in its early stages, with more countries expected to join, but there is some hesitation from other parts of the world. Several international leaders have expressed caution, fearing that the Board could undermine the role of established organizations like the United Nations in peacekeeping operations.
Nonetheless, Trump has remained adamant about the potential for the Board to become a significant diplomatic body. The U.S. hopes to hold a signing ceremony for the Board during the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, where world leaders are expected to gather this week.
The formation of the Board has also raised questions about its long-term impact on international diplomacy and peace efforts. Critics argue that the Board’s structure could shift diplomatic influence away from traditional peacekeeping organizations, potentially leading to a more U.S.-centric approach to global peace. However, supporters of the plan see this as a practical step forward, providing a unique platform for nations willing to contribute resources and actively participate in rebuilding efforts in Gaza.
As the situation unfolds, the U.S. and its allies are working on finalizing the list of founding members of the Board and determining the next steps for the peace process in Gaza. With discussions continuing at the World Economic Forum, the world will soon see how this initiative will shape international peace efforts moving forward.
Speaking to the BBC from an undisclosed location, Wine said he had decided against filing a petition despite concerns over his safety following the election. He added that he would continue to engage in political activism and advocacy through constitutional avenues.
“The judiciary in Uganda is captured, and we encourage Ugandans to use any legal means to fight back and protect their democracy,” said the 43-year-old pop star turned politician whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi.
President Yoweri Museveni, 81, was declared the winner of the presidential poll by the Electoral Commission on Saturday, securing a seventh term in office. Official results showed Museveni obtained about 72 percent of the vote, while Wine, his closest challenger, garnered around 25 percent.
Wine, who previously challenged Museveni’s victory in the 2021 election before later withdrawing his petition, said his current decision reflected lessons learned from past experience. He has called on supporters to remain calm and to pursue what he described as peaceful and constitutional action.
During the BBC interview, Wine said he was in hiding after leaving his home in a Kampala suburb, citing heightened security presence in the area. He also expressed concern about the wellbeing of his family, saying access to his residence had been restricted. Police have denied raiding his home, stating that security deployments were intended to ensure his safety as a presidential candidate.
Ugandan authorities have not directly responded to Wine’s latest remarks. However, the Uganda Human Rights Commission said that while there were technical and procedural challenges on polling day, they did not undermine the overall credibility of the election.
The African Union Election Observation Mission said it found no evidence of widespread irregularities but criticised the temporary nationwide internet shutdown that was imposed during and after polling.
In his victory address, President Museveni, who has led Uganda since 1986, called for unity and peace, saying the election demonstrated the continued dominance of his National Resistance Movement (NRM). He outlined priorities for his new term, including wealth creation, poverty reduction, improved public services and a renewed fight against corruption.
“The secretary-general condemns in the strongest terms the Israeli authorities’ actions to demolish” the Sheikh Jarrah compound of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), the statement said.
It said that, as Guterres “has repeatedly and unequivocally stated, including in his letter to the Prime Minister of Israel on 8 January 2026, the Sheikh Jarrah compound remains United Nations premises, and is inviolable and immune from any form of interference.”
The secretary-general urges the Israeli government to immediately cease the demolition of the compound, and to return and restore the compound and other UNRWA premises to the United Nations without delay, the statement said.
It added that Guterres views as wholly unacceptable the continued escalatory actions against UNRWA, which are inconsistent with Israel’s clear obligations under international law, including the UN Charter and the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations.
NISR figures show that domestic passengers on RwandAir increased from 22,519 in 2023 to 30,066 in 2024. The flights operate on the airline’s only domestic route, linking Kigali to Kamembe in Rusizi District.
The route is served by RwandAir’s Bombardier Q-400 NextGen aircraft. Covering a distance of 147.42 kilometres, the flight takes about 40 minutes from Kanombe International Airport.
RwandAir says the current economy-class fare on the Kigali–Kamembe route stands at USD 99 (approximately Rwf 140,000).
The rise in domestic passenger numbers marks a continuation of the post-pandemic recovery. Before the Covid-19 outbreak, RwandAir carried 20,281 domestic passengers in 2019. Traffic declined sharply during the pandemic, before beginning to rebound in 2022, when 15,821 passengers were recorded on the route.
Growth in domestic travel has also contributed to an increase in RwandAir’s overall passenger volumes, including international traffic. Total passengers carried by the national airline rose from 927,836 in 2023 to 1,034,887 in 2024.
Cargo volumes also expanded during the same period. International cargo carried by RwandAir increased from 16,462.2 tonnes in 2023 to 20,689.54 tonnes in 2024. Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, the airline transported 12,349.66 tonnes of cargo in 2019.
Looking ahead, Rwanda expects air transport capacity to expand significantly once the new Kigali International Airport under construction in Bugesera becomes operational. The airport is projected to handle up to eight million passengers annually, compared with just over one million passengers handled at Kanombe International Airport in 2024.
The first phase of the Bugesera airport is scheduled for completion in 2027/28, while the second phase is expected to be completed by 2034, ultimately raising annual passenger handling capacity to 14 million.
Rugemanshuro also disclosed that the institution recorded a net surplus of Rwf 413 billion in 2025, representing a 15.6 percent return on investment.
He made the remarks on January 20, 2025, while appearing before the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Social Affairs
“It has been a long journey to reach where we are today,” Rugemanshuro told MPs.
The Director General noted that RSSB has undergone wide-ranging reforms, including improvements in investment governance, to strengthen the institution’s operations.
Rugemanshuro highlighted changes in the way RSSB operates with employers, employees, and beneficiaries, noting that members’ contributions have increased alongside benefits paid to beneficiaries.
He added that employers can now access contribution-related information more easily through digital platforms, while the institution has stepped up efforts to recover unpaid contributions.
In 2025, RSSB was owed arrears amounting to Rwf 27.9 billion, including Rwf 16 billion from public institutions and Rwf 11 billion from private entities. During the year, the government paid Rwf 2 billion of the outstanding amount, while private entities settled Rwf 9 billion.
Rugemanshuro assured Parliament that RSSB remains financially sound and capable of meeting its obligations to members.
“I would like to give a strong assurance that RSSB has sufficient capacity to meet its obligations to members at all times in the future,” he assured.
He added that the institution’s current position reflects the successful implementation of its investment strategy.
RSSB’s investment portfolio is diversified across several asset classes. About 40 percent of its assets are invested in fixed-income securities, while 15 percent is held as cash and bank deposits to ensure liquidity and support day-to-day operations and benefit payments.
A further 20 percent is invested in commercial ventures, 14 percent in development-oriented investments aligned with national priorities, and 11 percent in real estate, including housing and land projects.
Rugemanshuro emphasised that RSSB’s investment strategy is aligned with Rwanda’s development agenda, noting that approximately 95 percent of the institution’s investments are located within the country.
This issue was addressed during a press conference held on Monday, January 19, 2026, at Stade Amahoro. The event was attended by the Country Director of QA Venue Solutions Rwanda, John Ntigengwa; the CEO of Rwanda Premier League, Jules Karangwa; and Tokoloho Moeketsi, the Commercial Director at QA Venue Solutions.
The discussion comes amid growing complaints from various stakeholders, including federations and teams using Stade Amahoro and smaller venues like Petit Stade, who have criticized the high rental prices. Fans attending matches at the stadium have also expressed dissatisfaction with the excessively high prices for drinks and food.
Ntigengwa mentioned that QA Solutions, which has extensive experience in managing sports and entertainment venues, signed an agreement with the Rwandan Government on May 15, 2025, to manage Stade Amahoro to ensure its efficient operation and generate revenue.
The goal is for the stadium to remain in top condition, provide a return on investment, and allow the government to recoup its initial investment.
“The stadium must be used, but it should also generate income. Such an investment takes time, but we want to ensure it stays intact, always looking good, and at an international standard,” he said.
{{No fixed price for renting Stade Amahoro }}
On July 1, 2024, President Paul Kagame, together with Dr. Patrice Motsepe, the President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), officially inaugurated the revamped Amahoro Stadium, which had been under renovation for two years. The stadium’s capacity was increased from 25,000 to 45,000 seated spectators, and it was fully covered.
Since then, the stadium has hosted both local and international events, but the management has stated that no set price has yet been established for its rental.
John Ntigengwa, the Managing Director of QA Solutions Rwanda, explained that when the company was given the authority to manage the stadium, discussions were held with various stakeholders, including the Ministry of Sports, federations, and teams, and it was realized that the price for renting the stadium for events was too high. This led to the decision to differentiate prices based on the type of events held there.
“Since we started hosting events, we still don’t have a clear price for renting Stade Amahoro at this point for each team. We’ve been working with varying event prices, and the data from these trials will be used to determine the final rental rates,” he added.
{{Rental fees}}
QA Solutions Rwanda disclosed a meeting was scheduled on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, with the Rwanda Premier League (RPL), FERWAFA, and football teams to find a lasting solution to the pricing issue.
Ntigengwa mentioned that in previous discussions, teams suggested that the rental price for the stadium should be between Rwf3 million and Rwf5 million, and this is the direction they plan to follow.
He said, “Stade Amahoro belongs to the Rwandan people, and it should be used by Rwandans. But to ensure that everyone contributes, we have found that working together is necessary. The government is always there to help us.”
He also clarified that historically, renting Amahoro Stadium was priced at Rwf 10 million , but it has now been reduced to Rwf3 million thanks to government subsidies. Additional costs for utilities like water, electricity, security, protocol, ambulances, and insurance for any possible incidents at the stadium also contribute to the final rental price.
The total rental cost for the stadium can rise, as evidenced through the match between APR FC and Rayon Sports in November 2025, where the rental cost alone was Rwf32 million, including Rwf 10 million for the stadium and additional costs for other services.
QA Solutions Rwanda has formed partnerships with companies involved in ticket sales, security, and protocol management to ensure services meet the required standards.
Ntigengwa stated that if a match is expected to have fewer attendees, thereby reducing the need for extensive security and protocol staff, the costs for teams would be adjusted accordingly.
{{Pricing for food and beverages }}
Since Amahoro Stadium’s renovation, fans have frequently complained about the high prices of food and drinks. For example, a bottle of water has been sold for Rwf 2,500, and coffee for Rwf 8,000, prices that are often three times higher than outside the stadium.
During the press conference, Ntigengwa explained that the selection of vendors for food and drink sales at the stadium is QA Solutions Rwanda’s responsibility, as they must comply with health and hygiene regulations.
Stade Amahoro has 35 designated vending spaces, including 14 on the lower level and 21 on the upper level, with 17 doors available for permanent sales, some of which have been allocated to sports organizations.
Regarding the prices, Ntigengwa said, “This issue arose before we took over, but just recently, we faced a situation where someone was charging excessive prices for water. I personally spoke to the vendor and made it clear that such prices are unacceptable. Coffee is now priced between Rwf 3,000 and Rwf 4,000, not Rwf 8,000.”
{{Increased revenue }}
Jules Karangwa, the CEO of the Rwanda Premier League, mentioned that Tuesday’s meeting will be the third held between this organization and QA Solutions Rwanda to discuss cooperation.
He pointed out that athletes must understand that the stadium is now at an international standard, and although the rental price is higher than other local stadiums, it is justified by the upgraded facilities.
“The mindset must change. What people pay for events here is different from what they pay elsewhere. We are already discussing how to generate more revenue and increase income.”
He said, “Mindsets need to change. What a person contributes to play at the stadium is different from what is paid elsewhere. Now the discussions are focused on how we manage expenses and increase revenue more effectively.”
Karangwa also highlighted the opportunities brought by Stade Amahoro’s renovation. In the past, it was hard to generate more than Rwf 400 million annually from the stadium, but since the renovation, the stadium has made Rwf 950 million.
At the centre of this shift is the SDG Costing and Budgeting exercise, a government-led initiative supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), designed to align national spending with measurable development outcomes.
The exercise, anchored in Rwanda’s National Strategy for Transformation 2 (NST2), is changing how public and private resources are mobilised, allocated and monitored, moving beyond traditional budgeting toward results-driven financing.
{{Technical support for smarter financing
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UNDP has provided technical leadership and advisory support throughout the SDG costing process, working closely with the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning (MINECOFIN). The agency supported the development of costing methodologies, scenario modelling and the integration of SDG targets into national budget systems.
In a recent SDG Costing report, Fatmata Sesay, UNDP Rwanda Resident Representative, underscored the importance of strategic financing in achieving sustainable development outcomes.
“Right-financing is not about doing more with less. It is about doing better with what we have, structuring public funds to de-risk investment, aligning incentives to development outcomes and building the fiscal architecture to manage complexity over time,” she said.
UNDP also supported the application of global tools such as the IMF SDG Financing Tool, helping Rwanda adapt international models to local realities.
{{Aligning SDGs with Rwanda’s national priorities
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Rather than treating SDGs as a parallel agenda, the costing exercise embeds them directly into NST2 flagship programmes. Each SDG target is mapped to NST2 pillars and priority areas, ensuring they are delivered through national systems.
By integrating SDG costing into Rwanda’s Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF), MINECOFIN can now clearly see which priorities are fully funded, partially funded or unfunded. This allows policymakers to sequence interventions strategically and focus limited resources on areas with the highest development impact, including poverty reduction, job creation and climate resilience.
According to the report, Rwanda requires Rwf 63.6 trillion to implement NST2 between 2024 and 2029. Of this amount, 43 percent is expected to come from private sector investments, particularly domestic financial institutions, while the remaining 57 percent will be mobilised from public sources such as taxes, grants and concessional loans.
The largest allocations are directed to education, health, electricity, water and sanitation, and roads. The sectors are prioritised because of their central role in human capital development and economic transformation. By 2029, spending in these areas is projected to reach nearly 20 percent of GDP, up from around 10 percent in 2024.
{{Where Rwanda stands on the SDGs
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The report presents a mixed picture of Rwanda’s SDG performance. About 28 percent of targets are already achieved or on track, while 53 percent are showing limited progress. Another 19 percent of targets are regressing, highlighting areas where progress has stalled or reversed.
Rwanda has recorded notable gains in clean water access, clean energy, gender equality and climate action. However, challenges remain in job creation, institutional capacity and inclusive economic growth, signalling the need for more targeted financing and policy acceleration in these areas.
These gaps in progress are closely linked to the country’s SDG financing shortfall, now estimated at 21.3 percent of GDP, up from 15.7 percent before the COVID-19 pandemic. Closing this gap will require stronger domestic revenue mobilisation, better public spending efficiency and deeper private sector involvement.
The report makes it clear that traditional public financing alone will not be enough. Instead, Rwanda is increasingly turning to blended finance, public-private partnerships and impact-linked financing to mobilise additional capital while maintaining fiscal sustainability.
To support long-term planning, the report outlines three possible development pathways. Under the Resilience First scenario, SDGs would be achieved by 2054 if current trends continue. The Smart Sequencing scenario projects achievement by 2044 through moderate acceleration and efficiency gains. The most ambitious pathway, All-in Leap, targets SDG achievement by 2034, requiring major fiscal reforms, strong private sector mobilisation and international cooperation.
These scenarios allow policymakers to weigh ambition against fiscal risk and implementation capacity.
A major innovation introduced through the exercise is Budgeting for SDGs (B4SDG). Unlike traditional budgeting approaches that focus on institutional spending lines, B4SDG tracks how each allocation contributes to concrete development outcomes.
This enables cross-sector coordination and makes trade-offs visible, strengthening transparency and accountability. For example, investments in renewable energy simultaneously advance climate action, job creation and economic growth.
{{Crowding in the private sector
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Private sector participation is also becoming central to Rwanda’s SDG financing strategy. Through the Integrated National Financing Framework (INFF), SDG priorities are transformed into bankable projects supported by guarantees, concessional finance and results-based payments.
These instruments reduce investment risk and attract private capital into sectors such as renewable energy, agriculture, housing, MSMEs and health, helping scale development impact beyond what public funding alone can achieve.
{{Managing fiscal risks and climate resilience
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The report also flags potential fiscal risks, including rising debt service costs and contingent liabilities from public-private partnerships. To manage these risks, Rwanda is embedding SDG financing within a prudent macro-fiscal framework guided by debt sustainability thresholds and phased implementation.
Climate risk is fully integrated into investment planning. Projects are screened for resilience and aligned with green bonds and climate funds, ensuring long-term sustainability.
As Rwanda prepares for global platforms such as the Summit of the Future, the United Nations system has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the country’s development agenda.
“As we move towards the Summit of the Future and beyond, the United Nations system in Rwanda remains fully committed to supporting the government in mobilising the right type of capital to accelerate progress towards the SDGs,” said Ozonnia Ojielo, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Rwanda.
With UNDP’s technical support and strong government ownership, Rwanda’s SDG costing exercise is emerging as a regional model for results-based development financing, demonstrating how data, partnerships and innovative finance can turn ambition into measurable impact.
In the image, Trump is accompanied by U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, with a sign nearby reading “GREENLAND – US TERRITORY EST. 2026.”
On the same day, Trump released another image: He met with European leaders in the Oval Office, with a map displayed behind him showing the United States, Canada, Greenland, and Venezuela under the American flag.
Trump said on Truth Social on Tuesday that he had a telephone call with Mark Rutte, the Secretary General of NATO, concerning Greenland.
“As I expressed to everyone, very plainly, Greenland is imperative for National and World Security. There can be no going back. On that, everyone agrees!” he wrote.
Against a backdrop of growing geopolitical complexity, deepening fragmentation and rapid technological transformation, the forum has called on the international community to bridge differences through dialogue, look to the future, and work together to address major global challenges.
{{Rising global risks
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The world is currently grappling with a convergence of risks that is placing unprecedented strain on global stability and development.
The WEF’s Global Risks Report 2026, one of its flagship publications released ahead of the annual meeting, points out that geopolitical and economic risks rise in a new age of competition.
The report identifies geoeconomic confrontation as the top risk for 2026, followed by interstate conflict, extreme weather, societal polarization, misinformation and disinformation. Economic risks, it notes, are rising at the fastest pace among all risk categories in the short term.
WEF Managing Director Saadia Zahidi said the age of competition compounds global risks ranging from geoeconomic confrontation, unchecked technology to rising debt, and changes the world’s collective capacity to address them.
According to the WEF’s latest Chief Economists’ Outlook, 53 percent of chief economists expect global economic conditions to weaken in the year ahead, with concerns over potential asset valuation declines, mounting debt and geoeconomic realignment, among other factors.
This was echoed by the United Nations in its latest World Economic Situation and Prospects 2026 report. The UN projects global economic growth at 2.7 percent in 2026, slightly below the estimated 2.8 percent in 2025, citing weak investment and tight fiscal space as key drags on economic activity.
The report warns that higher tariffs combined with rising macroeconomic uncertainty will have a more pronounced impact next year, with global trade growth expected to fall to 2.2 percent in 2026, down from 3.8 percent in 2025.
In a recent interview with Xinhua, WEF President and CEO Borge Brende said, “We are most worried about major escalations of wars. That can kill global growth.” He noted that if the world can avoid such escalations, global economic growth could reach over 3 percent in 2026.
A major focus of the annual meeting will be the technological paradigm shift — from artificial intelligence (AI) and quantum computing to next-generation biotechnology and energy systems. The WEF said that these new technologies are reshaping how people live and work while creating new growth engines.
The WEF warns that while the rapid advance of AI is driving productivity gains, it also brings new risks, including social fractures fueled by rising unemployment and weakening consumer confidence.
{{Dialogue urgently needed
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Days before the meeting opened, the WEF released its Global Cooperation Barometer, which finds that global cooperation has proved resilient despite strong headwinds confronting multilateralism. Yet the report cautions that existing levels of cooperation remain inadequate to meet pressing economic, security and environmental challenges.
The report stresses that in an increasingly complex and uncertain geopolitical environment, open and constructive dialogue is critical to identifying collaborative pathways that advance shared interests.
Under the theme “A Spirit of Dialogue,” this year’s meeting reflects that urgency. Key topics include how to cooperate in a more contested world, how to unlock new sources of growth, and how to deploy innovation at scale and responsibly.
“Dialogue is not a luxury in times of uncertainty; it is an urgent necessity,” said Brende.
During the interview, he viewed dialogue as critical as it is the start of a process that can ultimately yield results capable of moving the world forward.
More dialogue is needed to change today’s growing polarization and lack of win-win outcomes, Brende added.
Larry Fink, interim co-chair of the WEF, said the forum has brought together a record number of leaders from governments, businesses and non-governmental organizations at a moment when dialogue matters more than ever.
“Understanding different perspectives is essential to driving economic progress and ensuring prosperity is more broadly shared,” he said.
