• Distinguished guests
• Ladies and gentlemen

It is a pleasure to be with you today at the Third National Urban Forum. I wish to thank the Ministry of Infrastructure for organising such an important gathering, and to all partners who have worked hard to make this forum a reality.

There is no doubt that urbanisation is a priority for Rwanda. As the most densely populated nation on the continent, and with citizens moving into cities at a rate more than twice the global average, we need not only to discuss best practices in urbanisation, but implement them as well.

I am very pleased that this edition of the National Urban Forum has such a strong focus on green growth. The Ministry of Environment has been working with partners across government, civil society and the private sector to build understanding of the importance of green, clean and sustainable development.

That’s because, as our climate warms, we have seen an increase in extreme weather events that are having a severe and often tragic impact on the lives of Rwandans. They are also impacting the bottom line to the tune of about ten percent of the national budget. These natural disasters include floods and landslides and are only set to increase unless we grow our cities in ways that are more attuned to nature.

The flooding at Nyabugogo is a regular reminder that unless we design, build and retrofit our urban areas to be resilient to climate change, then we are likely to face repair bills that are simply unsustainable.

According to the World Bank, 42% of economic losses in the housing sector in countries like Rwanda is due to flooding. Without significant investment to make cities more resilient, it is predicted that by 2030 natural disasters may cost cities worldwide 314 billion dollars a year. That’s why the work being done by the Ministry of Infrastructure and its partners is so important.

Building a resilient green city requires us to be aware of these risks, but not paralysed by them. There are some immediate and cost effective ways to reduce the impact of climate change and natural disasters on our urban areas.

In Kigali, we must begin by relocating more than 7,000 economic activities in the city’s wetlands. These factories, garages, houses and car parks are hampering the city’s ability to cope with flooding and are putting others at risk as well. The relocation process is underway, but needs to be fast-tracked.

Once these activities have moved, we will continue to rehabilitate wetlands and invest in flood management infrastructure such as artificial lakes and ponds. This infrastructure builds resilience to floods and the water stored there can be used for multiple purposes, which boosts our ability to adapt to climate change.

Another flood management tool at our disposal is rainwater harvesting. From household tanks to industrial scale water storage, rainwater harvesting has the dual benefit of reducing runoff and capturing water for use when it’s needed most - especially during the dry season.

We also need to plant more trees in our gardens, along roadsides, in public spaces and parks. On top of adding beauty to our cities, trees absorb carbon dioxide and air pollutants, and help to cool the air by approximately 2 degrees Celsius, making cities more livable.

The development of the Nyandungu Urban Wetland Eco-Tourism Park and restoration of forests on Mt. Rebero, Mt. Kigali and Mt. Jali will support these efforts by increasing forest cover and creating green spaces we can all enjoy.

This is a practical way to mitigate global warming because forests and wetlands serve as effective carbon sinks.

Distinguished guests,

Ladies and gentlemen,

Green transport, including electric cars, bikes and buses, also forms an important part of sustainable cities. We are pleased to be working with partners from around the world on an e-mobility feasibility study, and with Ampersand to roll out electric motorbikes. We are also investigating the use of cable cars as an efficient mass transit solution.

Finally, I would encourage the use of local construction materials paired with smart design so that we reduce the need for costly and energy hungry air conditioning. Passive cooling and shading is a great way to reduce building costs while also protecting and enhancing our natural environment.

There’s no better way to demonstrate these interventions than through the green city concept. In partnership with the Global Green Growth Institute and with support from the German Government, we are completing a feasibility study for a green city pilot which will be constructed on a 620-hectare site in Kinyinya Sector, Kigali.

The ongoing process to develop secondary cities that are green and climate resilient is also vital and we commend all stakeholders engaged in this effort. We are optimistic about the transformational impact these initiatives will have on advancing green urbanisation across the country.

By working together, sharing experiences and putting the environment at the heart of our urban development, I am confident we can achieve our green growth goals. I hope that this afternoon’s sessions provide us with useful insights to develop resilient urban environments and green cities in Rwanda.

Thank you for your kind attention.