Rwanda, 2008

We are gathered here once

again to reflect on major national, regional and global

challenges — and on how together, as the United

Nations, we can renew our commitment to finding

solutions. It gives me great pleasure to share with the

General Assembly some insights on how some of those

global developments affect Rwanda, as well as our

region, as we continue to strengthen our social,

economic and democratic institutions for improving the

lives of our citizens.

In the context of fighting poverty and achieving

the Millennium Development Goals, our second-

generation poverty-reduction strategy is gathering

momentum in Africa, East Africa and Rwanda, and is

being implemented in the context of greater stability

and peace. In Rwanda we are registering a healthy

economic growth rate, which is currently averaging

7 per cent annually, in an increasingly open and

conducive environment that encourages domestic and

foreign investors. We also continue to deepen our

regional integration in the East African community.

That is essential for a bigger and more dynamic

market, which should become a far more effective and

efficient gateway to global business.

With regard to empowering women and

promoting their socio-economic and political

participation, we continue to make significant progress.

In the just-concluded Rwandan parliamentary elections

for the lower chamber, women candidates performed

exceptionally well, increasing their presence in the new

Parliament from 49 to 55 seats. We believe that,

besides improving gender status in our country, that

marks healthy progress towards realizing a vision of a

united, democratic and prosperous Rwanda.

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Allow me to raise another issue that may have

wider implications, namely, that of justice and, more

specifically, of universal jurisdiction and its abuse. It is

important that those who consider themselves powerful

nations do not misuse that tool of international justice

to extend their laws and jurisdiction over those they

perceive to be weaker countries. If unchecked, one can

only imagine the legal chaos that would ensue should

any judge in any country decide to apply local laws to

other sovereign States. The United Nations has a duty

to ensure that universal jurisdiction serves its original

goals of delivering international justice and fairness, as

opposed to abuse.

There is no doubt that climate change is among

the critical challenges of our time. Africa is being

gravely affected. Deserts and dry zones continue to

claim more territory. Over-reliance on wood for energy

by our populations is leading to severe deforestation.

Furthermore, unpredictable weather and rainfall

patterns, combined with limited scientific and

technological capacities, are already undermining our

continent’s ability to effectively manage water

resources.

We take those challenges very seriously in

Rwanda. Earlier this month, in Kigali, the Africa

Climate Change Forum brought together policymakers,

business leaders and academic and scientific

communities from different parts of the world. They

reaffirmed that the world community urgently needs to

think globally, but also to act locally, in translating

resolutions into actions. Towards that end, we are

determined to intensify efforts in the areas of

reforestation, terracing and irrigation for more

effective use of water and land resources, as well as to

prevent soil erosion. It is indispensable that we partner

together as a global community to urgently act to

protect our planet in the context of the Convention on

Climate Change and the Kyoto Protocol.

Rwanda is committed to regional and global

peace and stability. Let us not forget that the process of

comprehensively resolving the issue of those who

committed genocide in Rwanda has yet to be

completed. We stand ready to play our part in

addressing that matter in the context of broader

objectives to consolidate stability and peace on our

continent. Once again, I assure the Assembly of our

determination and commitment to creating a safer and

better world.