Rwanda marks World Environment Day as REMA celebrates 20 years of Environmental Stewardship
Protecting the environment and advancing development are not competing priorities; they must move together if Rwanda is to achieve sustainable and resilient growth,” Minister of Environment Dr. Arakwiye Bernadette said as Rwanda celebrated World Environment Day 2026 and the 20th anniversary of the Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA).
The celebrations, held at the rehabilitated Gikondo Wetland in Kigali, brought together government officials, development partners, environmental experts, academics, private sector representatives, youth, and local communities under the theme “A Global Call for Climate Action.”
Addressing participants, Dr. Arakwiye highlighted Rwanda’s environmental achievements and reaffirmed the country’s commitment to climate action, ecosystem restoration, and sustainable development. She noted that environmental protection remains at the heart of Rwanda’s development agenda and emphasized the need for stronger collaboration to address the growing impacts of climate change.
The Minister pointed to several milestones achieved in recent years, including the Green Gicumbi and Green Amayaga projects, which have restored degraded landscapes, created green jobs, strengthened climate resilience, and improved livelihoods for thousands of households.
She also highlighted the recent launch of Rwanda’s first Automatic Upper Air Station in Huye District, describing it as a major step toward improving climate forecasting and supporting evidence-based decisions. According to her, reliable climate data is essential for helping countries make informed investments and reduce losses associated with climate-related disasters.
Dr. Arakwiye outlined three key priorities guiding Rwanda’s environmental sector: sustainable landscape management, climate-smart agriculture, and sustainable urban development. She stressed that as Rwanda continues to urbanize, economic growth must be accompanied by cleaner air, sustainable transport systems, responsible waste management, and environmentally friendly industrial development.
While reflecting on the importance of environmental governance, she praised REMA for its contribution over the past two decades in ensuring environmental compliance, promoting awareness, and supporting the implementation of environmental policies and regulations.
Providing a historical perspective on the institution’s journey, REMA Director General Juliet Kabera explained that the idea of establishing REMA originated from Rwanda’s Environmental Policy adopted in 2003. She noted that despite the numerous reconstruction challenges facing the country at the time, Rwanda’s leadership understood that sustainable development could not be achieved without healthy ecosystems.
Kabera recalled that REMA was officially established in 2006 and immediately began laying the foundation for environmental management through initiatives such as wetland mapping, environmental impact assessments, and the development of environmental regulations.
Among the landmark achievements she highlighted was Rwanda’s ban on plastic bags in 2008, a policy that has since become internationally recognized as a model for environmental protection. She also pointed to the development of the Green Growth and Climate Resilience Strategy and the restoration of degraded ecosystems such as Gishwati-Mukura, which has since become a national park and UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
The celebration also recognized the role of young people in environmental conservation. University students who demonstrated exceptional leadership through environmental awareness campaigns and innovative sustainability initiatives received awards in recognition of their contribution to protecting the environment.
Award recipients expressed gratitude for the recognition and pledged to continue mobilizing fellow youth to actively participate in climate action and environmental stewardship.
Participants also commended the strong collaboration between government institutions, private sector actors, civil society organizations, development partners, and local communities, noting that such partnerships have been instrumental in achieving Rwanda’s environmental progress over the past two decades.
As REMA marks 20 years of service, stakeholders emphasized that the journey toward environmental sustainability is far from over. They called for increased climate finance, stronger partnerships, and accelerated action to address the challenges posed by climate change.
The celebration concluded with a renewed commitment to ensuring that environmental protection remains a cornerstone of Rwanda’s development ambitions, while empowering future generations to continue building a greener and more resilient nation.
By: Florence Uwamaliya
