Rwanda: Environment Minister calls for active role in building a Biodiversity value Nation

By Ange de la Victoire DUSABEMUNGU

Rwanda’s Minister has announced that the country is investing more efforts in building a climate Resilient Nation that values Biodiversity protection and Nature conservation.

This was announced on Friday, June 05, 2020 at the celebration of World Environment Day celebrated via Video Conference means due to the COVID 19 pandemic that has almost paralyzed the public gatherings in Rwanda and across Africa.

Minister Mujawamariya Jeanne d’ Arc said that the country has done a lot to conserve environment, however this time, more efforts are still needed from everyone.

“But, it cannot happen if our natural capital continues to deteriorate.” Minister Mujawamariya noted.

Mujawamariya said, during this celebration which is held virtually first than ever, that the COVID 19 has had untold impacts on Environment and Biodiversity.

The pandemic also came within the time that Rwanda was facing pressure from other environmental calamities which include flooding that has destroyed natural ecosystems as well as killing dozens of people across the country.

Mujawamariya calls for the joint efforts in dealing with all environmental issues as well as in fighting the COVID 19.

“We call upon the Governments, Civil Society Organizations, Private sector and personal commitment in understanding the value of Biodiversity conservation while at the same time thinking about our role in fighting COVID 19.”

This year 2020 the World Environment Day is celebrated under the theme “’Time for Nature,’ with a focus on its role in providing the essential infrastructure that supports life on Earth and human development.

It also “Celebrates Biodiversity” within the time 1 million species is facing extinction, which highlights well that there has never been a more important time to focus on biodiversity.

In an Interview with Charles Karangwa, IUCN Country Representative Rwanda said that”As we celebrate this year’s WED with a theme “Time for Nature. We should all realize that more than 90% drivers of degradation and loss of biodiversity are caused by humans.”

He emphasizes that “We need to re-examine our choices, our investments, our actions and our ways of living; creating time for nature, investing in green infrastructure and sustainable pathways to growing economies”

Mr. Karangwa further added that “We need nature, nature do not need us. We all need to remember that and carefully decide how we preserve the environment around us for our future and generations to come.

IUCN is investing in landscape restoration, sustainable management of watershed and catchments through different restoration measures, and mode importantly working with governments to put in place policies that supports and put at the centre nature- the mother earth.

“It has never been important and urgent to conserve and preserve the environment than Now.” Karangwa said

According to Rwanda’s Minister of Environment, people “should take time to be in nature and experience it, take time to think about that livelihoods depend on Nature and join hands without shaking hands in Biodiversity and nature protection.”

Need for cooperation in Biodiversity protection

During this event, the Director General of Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA), Juliet Kabera revealed that the World Environment Day is celebrated at the time that $ 100 billion are needed per year to protect the Biodiversity globally.

“However, less than $ 10 billion are provided” She said.

“Where will the world get the rest funding? So this is the issue that needs cooperation.” She added

DG Kabera explains that this will be possible if all including Private Sector play an active role in order to meet the United Nation’s Agenda on Biodiversity conservation.

According to the report entitled “BIODIVERSITY AND THE 2030 AGENDA FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, agreed by the 193 States Members of the United Nations, sets out an ambitious framework of universal and indivisible goals and targets to address a range of global societal challenges.

The report recognizes that Biodiversity is a key factor for the achievement of food security and improved nutrition.

It is well-known that all food systems depend on biodiversity and a broad range of ecosystem services that support agricultural productivity, soil fertility, and water quality and supply. Furthermore, at least one-third of the world’s agricultural crops depend upon pollinators.