Rwanda Reaffirms Link Between Peace, Development, and Environmental Protection

Rwanda’s Prime Minister, Dr. Justin Nsengiyumva, has emphasized that lasting peace and sustainable development are inseparable from environmental protection, urging nations to safeguard their natural ecosystems from terrorism and illegal activities.

Speaking during a high-level meeting hosted by the International Conservation Caucus Foundation (ICCF) in the United States, Dr. Nsengiyumva underscored the importance of placing environmental conservation at the heart of national development strategies.

“Peace and development cannot be sustained without continuing to protect the environment, on which our people depend for their livelihoods,” he said. “That is why Rwanda has placed environmental protection at the forefront of its development strategies for nearly three decades.”

The ICCF meeting gathered over 200 participants, including members of parliament, international leaders, conservationists, representatives of investment firms, NGOs, and public figures. Since its launch in 2006, the forum has hosted notable figures such as King Charles III, Jeff Bezos, Queen Noor of Jordan, Prince Albert II of Monaco, and former U.S. Presidents George H. W. Bush and Bill Clinton.

Dr. Nsengiyumva highlighted Rwanda’s post-Genocide recovery efforts, particularly in biodiversity restoration and wildlife conservation. He pointed to the country’s flagship annual event, Kwita Izina, which celebrates the naming of baby gorillas - a practice that has strengthened conservation awareness and boosted tourism.

“There was a time when mountain gorillas were so endangered that it seemed they might disappear completely. Today, their number has grown to over 1,000 - a fourfold increase - and they are no longer considered endangered,” he noted.

Rwanda’s partnership with African Parks to manage Akagera National Park has also yielded remarkable results. Since the collaboration began 15 years ago, the park’s animal population has grown from fewer than 5,000 to nearly 12,000. The country also successfully reintroduced lions in 2015 and later brought back black and white rhinos, a feat achieved with the support of the Howard G. Buffett Foundation.

Dr. Nsengiyumva stressed that such conservation successes would not be possible without the involvement of local communities, who serve as the first line of defense for protected areas.

The Prime Minister cautioned African nations against allowing national parks to become safe havens for terrorist or criminal groups, warning that such activities undermine both peace and environmental sustainability.

“We cannot allow African parks to be used by terrorist groups and criminal networks to create insecurity,” he asserted.

He also expressed appreciation to the United States, acknowledging the role of former President Donald Trump in facilitating peace efforts between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), saying that continued cooperation would help preserve regional ecosystems.

Dr. Nsengiyumva concluded by reaffirming Rwanda’s commitment to conservation and announcing plans to establish the African Conservation Academy in Akagera National Park, an initiative aimed at building continental expertise in biodiversity protection and sustainable development.