Rwanda, UNIDO and Poland Launch Partnership to Strengthen Disaster Risk Reduction

Kigali, November 5, 2025 - Vienna, Austria - November 12, 2025 - Rwanda, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), and the Government of Poland have launched a new partnership aimed at boosting Rwanda’s capacity to prevent and respond to industrial and climate-related disasters.

The agreement, signed Wednesday at UNIDO headquarters in Vienna, formalizes a project funded by Poland and implemented by UNIDO in collaboration with Rwanda’s Ministry of Internal Security through the Rwanda Police Fire & Rescue Brigade.

UNIDO Director-General Gerd Müller, Rwanda’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Urujeni Bakuramutsa, and Poland’s Representative to UNIDO Ambassador Marek Szczygieł, together with officials from Poland’s Ministry of Economic Development and Technology, signed the cooperation framework.

Müller described the initiative as the start of a “tripartite partnership,” bringing together Poland as a new donor, UNIDO’s technological expertise, and Rwanda’s drive toward disaster-resilient development.

“Today is not just a signing of a document, but the beginning of a three-way partnership,” Müller said. “Together, we will find practical solutions that will improve people’s lives and build a better and more sustainable future.”

The project aims to strengthen institutional capabilities, enhance research on disaster risks and impacts, and support the development of improved response mechanisms. A second phase will focus on capacity building and the provision of specialized firefighting equipment.

Ambassador Bakuramutsa said the initiative reflects Rwanda’s commitment to international cooperation aligned with the country’s development priorities.

“This project is closely linked to the implementation of our NST2 and Vision 2050, particularly in building an economy rooted in modern and environmentally friendly industries,” she said.

Poland’s Ambassador Szczygieł highlighted his country’s growing engagement in development cooperation with African nations, citing previous collaborations with UNIDO in Tajikistan, Moldova, and Georgia.

“This project is a concrete example of Poland’s commitment to development cooperation with African countries,” he said.

The partners envision establishing a long-term cooperation model focused on disaster risk reduction, innovation, and industrial development.