This is an event which brings together Rwandans and friends of Rwanda living around the world to reaffirm their core national value of Agaciro, celebrate the country’s progress and discuss ways of being part of Rwanda’s social-economic transformation.

It is an opportunity for Rwandans to meet, interact and exchange views on their country and how they can contribute to the vision of a modern, unified and prosperous nation.

Scheduled on May 18, 2013, Rwanda Day in London is expected to draw Rwandans and friends of Rwanda from the UK, Europe as well as African communities in Europe. His Excellency, President Paul Kagame, will be the guest of honor and give the keynote address at the event and will participate in an interactive question and answer session with attendees.

An interactive panel with young professionals and entrepreneurs from Rwanda and abroad will discuss the country’s development goals, business environment and opportunities available for those wanting to be part of a country on the move.
An exhibition featuring Rwandan banks and real estate businesses will provide the chance for Rwandans living abroad to learn about financial services, including sending back remittances, and investing in the property market. A selection of companies showcasing Rwandan products will also attend.

Rwanda Day in London comes only days after Rwanda’s successful issuance of the Eurobond – just one aspect of a national development strategy grounded in the understanding that business and investment is key to sustaining the economic progress needed for Rwandans to reach prosperity and fully realise their Agaciro (dignity).

Rwanda’s success depends on Rwandans living at home and abroad working together as well as partnering with friends of Rwanda to achieve set goals. Past events held in Boston, Chicago, Paris and Brussels were a resounding success and attracted many thousands of Rwandans who are committed to their country’s development.

The main objectives of Rwanda Day include:
•Learning about Rwanda’s progress towards socio-economic transformation and the role of Rwandans Abroad in shaping Rwanda’s future
•Strengthening networks between Rwandans and friends of Rwanda across the world
•Presenting business, investment, career and other opportunities to Rwandans and friends of Rwanda around the world
How to register for Rwanda Day London 2013?
The form to be filled in is accessed by following this link:

www.rwandaday.org/registration/

In case of any questions or need for additional information, please contact Mr Emmanuel Ruhumuliza on +447442235663 or rsvp@ambarwanda.org.uk .

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The session was marked by discussions on the state of cooperation in different areas such as bilateral trade, Investment cooperation, Development cooperation as well as Contracted Projects.

The meeting was co- chaired by hon. Silas Lwakabamba, The minister of Infrastructure of The republic of Rwanda and Mr. Li Jinzao, the Vice- Minister of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China

The meeting commended　the achievements made in the development cooperation between the two countries since the Sixth Session of the Joint Committee that took place in Beijing in 2009. They expressed readiness to strengthen economic ties and further reaffirmed their commitment and determination to enhance bilateral cooperation in order to improve the living standards of the peoples of the two countries.

In his remarks, hon. Silas Lwakabamba expressed Rwanda’s gratitude of bilateral cooperation between Rwanda and China and noted the importance of JCC between two　countries.

“The Joint Commission between our two countries provides a good platform to develop strategies with a view to strengthening our bilateral relations. It is a success that all projects of the 6th JCC are completed. We appreciate the commitment by the Government of China to extend the Duty-free treatment to 95% of Rwandan products to the Chinese market.　We want also to appreciate a significant presence of Chinese companies in Rwanda. The presence of these companies is a clear vote of confidence in our country’s investment climate”

Lwakabamba also mentioned Rwandan Government commitment to conclude on-going discussions for the implementation of construction of the Government Administrative Office Complex and the Masaka-Kabuga Road.

He further stressed on the need to see the　model cooperation between the two countries being shifted from a current ad hoc model to a strategic planed model to respond to the requirements of our Government’s Economic Development Poverty Reduction Strategy (EDPRS) II.

In his turn, Mr. Li Jinzao, the Vice- Minister of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China welcomed the 7th session and saluted the rapid progress in economic and trade cooperation between China and Rwanda that was registered since the last session of JCC.

The Vice minister mentioned that in 2012, the bilateral trade value between the two countries has been doubled since 2009 and reached to USD 160 million.

“China and Rwanda are good friend and have good relation in international affairs. Chinese companies have been playing important role in the economic development of Rwanda and have undertaken the construction of roads, electricity facilities and water supply as well as investment in digital TV broadcasting in Rwanda. So, the future of the cooperation between Rwanda and China is promising” mentioned Mr. Li Jinzao.

After the meeting, the two sides signed four documents including the minutes on the 7th session of the joint committee, the agreement on economic and trade cooperation with a grant of RMB 50 million provided by Chinese government to Rwandan government, the exchange of letter for technology cooperation on MINAFFET building and the exchange of letter for technical cooperation for Bamboo cultivation, processing and utilization.

The Diplomatic relations between Rwanda and china have been established since November 1971 and the Government of China has been providing technical support in Agriculture; Health; Education and Infrastructure. The completed projects with success include the Agriculture Technology Demonstration Center at Rubona; Two rural primary schools for 9-year basic education in Rulindo and Gatsibo; Masaka Polyclinic Hospital and the supplementary works; Technical cooperation for Bamboo cultivation and Craft Processing, Phase II; Kinamba-Gisozi Memorial site road; and others still in pipeline

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The council was set to review the registered achievements analyzing available challenges and predict the way forward for the organization to achieve its objectives.

The three CEPGL member countries were represented by Honorable Louise MUSHIKIWABO, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, of Rwanda, Hon. Laurent KAVAKURE, Minister of External Relations and International Cooperation of Burundi, while the Democratic Republic of Congo was represented by TUNDA YA KASENDE, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Francophone.

As part of the resolutions, the council of ministers adopted the action Plans and the Budgets of the Executive Permanent Secretary of CEPGL for the years 2012 and 2013; as well as the new structure of the Executive Permanent Secretary of CEPGL.

The council of ministers took the measures for the mobilizations of contributions of Member States and adopted the project of the agenda for the next Summit of the Heads of States of CEPGL which could take place before 15th September 2013 in DRC: - A revised draft of the convention on the creation of CEPGL shall be presented to the Conference of Heads of States for signature.

The council further decided to support the decisions of the General Assembly of IRAZ, especially the decision related to the contribution of 200.000 USD per country in order to make it operational at the ground;

The ministers pledged to support efforts aimed at the resumption of activities of the bank of CEPGL called BDEGL. They also concluded to take into account the recommendations from the joint Memorandum EGL-SINELAC of 8th May 2013 related to the cooperation for the development of energy projects.

The CEPGL was established in September 1976 to facilitate economic integration and the movement of goods and people between the great lakes countries notably, Burundi , Zaire, now the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) - and Rwanda.

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Hosted by the Apollo Group Inc and chaired by its CEO and Director of the Board, Charles Edelstein, the evening’s discussion centered on the role of education in creating and sustaining economic growth.

President Kagame began by sharing Rwanda’s history and its journey to reconstruction:

“We started from a very low base with one million lives that had been lost, four million refugees who were living outside Rwanda and a country that could have become a failed state. Today, Rwanda is still rebuilding itself but 11 million Rwandans are now hopeful that their future is a bright one.”
President Kagame explained that recognizing the value of every Rwandan was key in transforming the country:
“We decided where we wanted to go, how to get there and created a shared vision that empahasised Rwandans as the nation’s most valued resource. With twelve years free basic education, over 90% enrollment rate and over 95% access to health, our national budget prioritises the well-being of all Rwandans.”

Charles Edelstein pointed to Rwanda’s leadership and its approach to development as model beyond Africa:

“Rwanda’s stunning turnaround can serve as an example globally and can teach each of us valuable lessons on how to run our businesses. Rwanda’s leadership is walking the talk and setting the tone from the top.”

President Kagame concluded his address by describing Rwanda’s vision as based on the lessons of the past and the belief that working with partners should lead to achieving self reliance:

“The resilience of Rwandans is driven by the anger caused by remembering where we have been and the determination to ensure that we develop as soon as we can and end dependency.”

President Kagame also addressed key leaders in the private and public sectors in a private roundtable aimed at exploring the opportunities for investment in Rwanda and in Africa.

Describing the initiatives that have led to a continuous increase in investment in Rwanda, President Kagame said:

“It is about transparency, internal reforms, enforcing the rule of law, good governance and the opportunity that regional integration presents for investment.”

President Kagame was joined on the panel by former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, Chairman of Ardagh Group Paul Colson, CEO&Founder of Liquidnet, CIO of OPIC William Pearce and Former Associate US Attorney General Thomas Perelli.

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She received the award in recognition of her contribution to promoting the rights of women and girls, at a ceremony in Cape Town, South Africa.

The Women Inspiration Enterprise aims at inspiring and empowering the next generation of women leaders and advocates as well as building a powerful and influential female network for change and transformation.

Vincent Karega, Rwanda’s High Commissioner to South Africa, who received the award on behalf of Mrs Kagame, told The New Times that the award was in recognition of her high level commitment to helping poor women, supporting orphans and giving scholarships to students who perform well in school.

He added it was due to the First Lady’s “outstanding programmes that are voluntary and enriching lives through promoting the rights of women and girls in particular.

“She also played a role in the campaigns creating awareness among girls about sugar daddies,”　Karega said.

Karega said the First Lady has also helped in implementing prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV programmes among other activities to improve people’s livelihoods, thus making her the first First Lady to receive the global award.

Mrs Kagame has championed many projects that support women and girls through Imbuto Foundation.

The Foundation has so far provided education scholarships to over 6,000 students, and rewarded at least 5,000 girls for outstanding performance in national exams, for the last 10 years.

The organisation also provides direct support to 218,500 beneficiaries, with 200,000 of them receiving community health insurance, commonly known as Mutuelle de Sante.

Imbuto Foundation has also helped around 355 vulnerable families set up income-generating activities to improve their livelihoods and get out of poverty.

The award also considered Mrs Kagame’s livestock and financial support to poor women care takers of orphans (malaika murinzi) and youth leadership programmes.

The WIE network is made of Active current and former first ladies, Women CEOs, philanthropists, celebrities, policy makers and women advocates of women empowerment.

The event was graced by Grace Machel, the wife of iconic former South African president Nelson Mandela, ministers, business and civil society women of vision and impact.

WIE is a global annual conference and online community designed to empower the next generation of women leaders that was founded in 2010.

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Speaking to the press after meeting President Kagame, Kengo wa Dondo pointed out that there is need to increase cooperation between Rwanda and Congo:
“It is time for us to open our border for the free circulation of people, goods and investments. The Rwandan people have the expertise in agriculture, farming and in the service sector and we can all learn from each other.”

On the ongoing crisis in the East of his country, the Senate President said:
“We appreciated President Kagame’s vision of the DRC crisis as one that calls for a political and not a military solution.”

The Rwanda Senate President, Jean Damascene Ntawukuriryayo said cooperation between the two Parliaments will help solve arising issues effectively before they get out of control.

“As people who speak on behalf of the people of the two countries, we will be able to explain issues and make them understood by the people. The consensus between the two Parliaments is that political problems need political solutions, not military ones because we all understand that if you defeat one military group, another one may sprout from somewhere else. The people of Congo need peace”

The Parliamentary Committees from both countries for foreign affairs are going to discuss the existing working relations between the two Parliaments, and the kind of partnership that could be put in place in order for the two committees to contribute to peace, development and stability in the region. The meeting which will be concluded by a number of resolutions is expected to discuss the CEPGL Summit that will be convened by President Kabila to discuss regional issues and the Kampala talks initiated by regional countries.

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Minister Louise Mushikiwabo said that Rwanda was committed to the successful implementation of this peace framework that will bring peace and stability not only in the DRC but in the whole region.

“What is good for the DRC is even better for Rwanda and the region. We will work very closely with the Special Envoy and other regional partners to see the implementation of this framework that will bring peace and hope to the people of Eastern DRC and the region,” said Minister Mushikiwabo.

The UN Special Envoy, Mary Robinson said that she is aware of the huge responsibility that her role carries but that she was ready to work with partners like Rwanda and other countries in the region to achieve a lot in terms of implementing the framework.

“This framework needs all signatories to work together to achieve its objectives. As the UNSG Special Envoy, I will focus on people affected by the instability in Eastern DRC and I hope that this framework will bring back hope to them,” said Mrs. Robinson.

The Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for the DRC and the Region was signed on 24 February 2013 by Angola, Burundi, the Central African Republic, Congo, DRC, Rwanda, South Africa, South Sudan, Uganda, Tanzania and Zambia.

Mary Robinson is in Rwanda for a 2-day visit after visiting the DRC. This regional tour will also take her to Uganda, Burundi, South Africa and Ethiopia.

She was appointed by the UN Secretary General as the UN Great Lakes Special Envoy on 18 March 2013. Previously, Mrs. Robinson served as Irish President from 1990 to 1997 and as the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights from 1997 to 2002.

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During the Summit Dr. Faustin Nteziryayo from the Republic of Rwanda was appointed judge of the East African Court of Justice (First Instance Division) to replace Mr. Johnson Busingye whose tenure of office ends on June 26th, 2013.

The summit also appointed Mr. Charles Jackson Kinyanjui Njoroge Deputy Secretary General of the East African Community replacing Dr. Julius Tangus Rotich whose term ends on June 28th, 2013.

The EAC Summit directed the council of Ministers to expedite the finalisation of report on the extension of the jurisdiction of the East African Court of Justice to cover among others crimes against humanity.

The summit also reiterated directives to the council of Ministers to expedite negotiations and conclusion of the protocol on the establishment of the EAC monetary Union with a view to signing the protocol in the next summit which is scheduled to take place in November 2013.

This 11th extraordinary meeting was also attended by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni of Uganda, President Pierre Nkurunziza of Burundi, President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya, President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete of the United Republic of Tanzania.

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Praising Meles Zenawi’s ability to defy convention and prioritize results, President Kagame described Meles Zenawi as a colleague, a panafrican, a friend and a source of inspiration for many:

“Meles Zenawi was a modernizer who dedicated his life to advance socio economic transformation of his country and the continent. He challenged and rejected conventional development models where they were not suitable. For doing what was right and being to true to his vision, values and principles, he earned the wrath of some but more significantly the admiration of many. Only a man of unusual courage, strong conviction, uncompromising integrity and selflessness could put the widespread criticism in its proper place and focus on meeting the needs of his people.”

Addressing what many have described as the contradiction between building a strong state and promoting democracy, President Kagame reminded all those present that there can be no democracy without development:

“The question has been raised about whether the emphasis on development and the role of the state in it is not done at the expense of democracy and people’s rights. For those who share Meles’ approach to development, there cannot be any contradiction between the two. They are mutually reinforcing. Sustainable socio-economic development gives rise to greater democracy and political rights can best be exercised and enjoyed in a climate of growing prosperity and improved quality of life.”

Speaking out against those who insist on defining what democracy should be for others, President Kagame emphasized that what matters most are results:
“Genuine democracy can never be equated to election cycles only. It has to do with the engagement of ordinary citizens in making and implementing the choices that affect their lives.”

Following his remarks, President Kagame joined a panel discussion alongside Deputy Director for Africa for the UN Millenium Campaign Charles Abugre, Professor Akbar Noman of Columbia University and former Chairperson of the African Union Dr. Jean Ping where Meles Zenawi. The panelists discussed various aspects of Meles Zenawi vision of governance, economic development and his dedication to a self reliant and self sufficient Africa.

“Self reliance is a mindset. It doesn’t mean we don’t want to work with anybody. Talking about aid, in the manner that emphasizes the need to reduce dependency does not mean you don’t need it. It means you have an ambition, you have a goal and you want to work towards generating your own resources as much as you can. It is a legitimate goal and ambition by any nation and by any people,” President Kagame explained.

Concluding the session, former Nigeria President and Chairman of the Forum Olesegun Obasanjo pointed to Meles Zenawi far reaching legacy:

“Ethiopia gave us history to be proud of. With Meles Zenawi, Ethiopia has given us leadership that is exemplary.”

The first day of the Tana High Level Forum ended with discussions on the role of African nations in combating various forms of organized crimes and two keynote speeches from former South Africa President Thabo Mbeki and Sudanese President Omar al Bashir.

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The meeting was preceded, the previous day, by bilateral consultations between the UNHCR and the participating delegations, as well as Government to Government delegation meetings.

Rwanda’s delegation was led by Honorable MUKANTABANA Seraphine, Minister of Disaster Management and Refugee Affairs (MIDIMAR) and His Excellency Vincent KAREGA, the Rwandan High Commissioner in South Africa. It also comprised other Senior Officials from both MIDIMAR and MINAFFET.

The main objective of this Ministerial Meeting was for the Government delegations to provide all relevant information on the implementation of the Comprehensive Durable Solutions Strategy for Rwandan refugees both in the countries of asylum and origin and also share the Government’s positions on outstanding issues.

The meeting noted that Rwanda has registered tremendous socio economic progress, and no genuine reason should justify Rwandan refugees who fall in the scope of the cessation clause to remain refugees.

Some circle of Rwandan refugees who are hesitating to voluntarily return home either lack enough information on the real situation in Rwanda, or have developed ties with asylum countries. In this regards, many Asylum Countries have requested the Government of Rwanda to adopt a simplified procedure for issuance of passports to Rwandan nationals in exile.

Participants were briefed about the socioeconomic situation in Rwanda, different programs in place specifically prepared for the reintegration of the returnees, and the delegation reaffirmed the Rwandan commitment to receive all Rwandan citizens still in asylum, as provided by the Rwandan Constitution.

The delegation however clarified that, should any refugee opt to remain in the country of asylum due to socio economic ties, the government of Rwanda stands committed to facilitate the local integration by issuing necessary documents, including passports and consular cards.

Participants to the meeting reassured the general commitment of the Countries of Asylum to implement the cessation clause for the refugees falling into the scope.

They also commended the communication strategy established by Rwanda and invited the Government of Rwanda to disseminate it as quickly as possible.

Following are the main recommendation points:

-Out of the discussions, all the delegations reconfirmed their commitment to implement the cessation clause strategy.
-Due to different legal systems, refugee issues in different countries, numbers, every country will chart a roadmap, in collaboration with Rwanda through bilateral arrangements, to tackle each and everything.
-In collaboration with UNHCR, Rwanda will continue to carryon speeding up mechanisms of dialogue and sensitization of refugees in various countries of asylum, to build the confidence of refugees and ensure more voluntary repatriation to happen in the forthcoming days.
-Local integration in countries of asylum will be analyzed in a case by case manner according to immigration laws of those different countries.
-There are Governments which have already enunciated their applicable criteria on the implementation of the cessation clause, and have already started. These were encouraged to proceed and should be good example for others that are still at initial stage.
- The Government of Rwanda was requested to conduct communication strategies jointly with countries of asylum.

The meeting was attended by delegations led by ministers responsible for refugee matters from countries hosting bigger numbers of Rwandan refugees, including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, The Republic of Congo, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Burundi, the Republic of South Africa, Zimbabwe and Zambia.

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