Rwanda: New U.S Ambassador Eric Kneedler missed no time in making his mark since assuming office earlier this month
Ambassador Eric Kneedler presented his credentials to President Paul Kagame.
By TOP AFRICA NEWS Reporter
The New U.S Ambassador to Rwanda, Eric Kneedler, has wasted no time in making his mark since assuming office earlier this month.
With a strong focus on strengthening bilateral relations, addressing climate change, and promoting citizen well-being, Ambassador Kneedler has already embarked on several significant initiatives.
In his first days in office, Ambassador Kneedler presented his letters of credence to Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Vincent Biruta. This formal gesture symbolized his commitment to building on the existing 60 years of bilateral relations between the United States and Rwanda.
Shortly after, Ambassador Kneedler had the honor of presenting his credentials to President Paul Kagame. During the meeting, he expressed his dedication to furthering the already strong ties between the two nations.
In a poignant display of respect and remembrance, Ambassador Kneedler paid his respects at the Kigali Genocide Memorial and the genocide memorial at the U.S. Embassy in Kigali. This gesture highlighted his commitment to acknowledging the tragic history of the country and working towards a better future.
He has also paid respects to the Belgian Peacekeepers killed in Rwanda during the Genocide against Tutsi.
Continuing his efforts to understand and appreciate Rwanda’s unique landscape, Ambassador Kneedler embarked on a climb up Mount Kabuye. As he enjoyed the breathtaking beauty of the area, he also took the opportunity to learn about its rich history, further deepening his understanding of the country and its people.
This week, Ambassador Kneedler had a courtesy meeting with Rwanda’s Minister of Environment, Dr. Jeanne d’Arc Mujawamariya. The two discussed ways to strengthen the partnership between the two countries in areas of environment protection, climate change adaptation, and green investments.
For an expert view, this meeting emphasized Ambassador Kneedler’s commitment to addressing the pressing issue of climate change and promoting sustainable development.
Although the United States in Rwanda has not invested a big portion in the environment and climate change compared to European countries such as Germany, the Netherlands and others, it is clear that this time around the U.S is about to show its role in assisting Rwanda in tackling climate change as a whole.
The U.S is one of the many countries that are taking the issue of climate change as a global threat.
In addition to this, the country is concerned with Health Challenges and Security matters as the biggest challenges of the 21st Century.
Since the eruption of COVID 19 in Rwanda, the U.S. has continued to stay behind Rwanda through prevention and protection measures.
The country is also a long-term partner of Rwanda in the field of security.
As the United States is investing heavily in tackling the effects of climate change since President Biden took office, Rwanda will no doubt find another partner in implementing the NDCs that will help the country to transition from the current situation to an inclusive, sustainable economy driven forward by green growth and green job creation.
READ ALSO: Combating Climate Change through Transportation: Rwanda CAN work the U.S way
Taken together, the country’s efforts to limit its contribution to climate change and adapt to the consequences over the next decade will require approximately US $11 billion, made up of 5.7 billion dollars for mitigation and 5.3 billion dollars for adaptation. It is expected that this funding will come from both domestic and external sources.
Overall, Ambassador Eric Kneedler’s early actions as the U.S Ambassador to Rwanda demonstrate his dedication to fostering good bilateral relations, addressing climate change, and promoting the well-being of Rwandan citizens. With his proactive approach and strong commitment, it is clear that Ambassador Kneedler is poised to make a positive impact during his tenure in Rwanda.
