Nairobi, 28 May 2019:The Government of Rwanda and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) initiating a partnership that willaccelerate human settlement and sustainable Urbanisation. This MoU was signed on the sidelines of the first session of the UN-Habitat Assembly held in Nairobi, Kenya from 27-31 May 2019.

The Minister of Infrastructure, Hon. Claver Gatete signed on behalf of the Government of Rwanda whereas Maimunah MOHD SHARIF represented the UN Habitat. The signed MoU provides a framework for reduction of spatial inequality and poverty in communities across the urban-rural continuum, enhancement of shared prosperity of cities and regions, strengthening climate action and improved urban environment, as well as effective urban crisis prevention and response.

The agreement will also drive the implementation of diverse projects and programmes in line with the first National Strategy for Transformation 2018-2024 and the United Nations Development Assistance Programme for Rwanda (2018-2023). It will again forge strong collaboration that will support implementation of the National Urbanisation Policy through the Spatial Development Framework (SDF); Upgrading of informal settlements in Rwanda; implementation of the National Determined Contribution (NDC), Urban Low Emission Development Strategies and Sustainable Mobility (through Paris Agreement), implementation of Rwanda Smart City Master Plan plus the Smart Africa Sustainable Cities, a Blueprint for Africa. This will in turn contribute to building urban resilience in Rwandan cities, capacity-building on disaster risk management; and Youth employment-related activities through the expansion of the One-Stop Youth Centres programme.

Minister Gatete observed that, the implementation of this MoU will yield the primary results including Sustainable Environmental Management, Energy and Resilience, Sustainable Urbanisation and Improved Urban Service Delivery. All the Parties agree to carry out their respective responsibilities in accordance with the provisions of this MoU for coherent implementation. The first session of the UN-Habitat Assembly is being held in Nairobi - Kenya, under the theme “Innovation for Better Quality of Life in Cities and Communities”.  

The dialogues of the first session will focus on strategies meant to fast-truck “New Urban Agenda” towards achieving Sustainable Development Goals. The Assembly will further review and approve the UN-Habitat Strategic Plan 2020-2025. 

The Assembly brought together, the UN agencies, decision and policy makers, local authorities and non-state actors including civil society, youth and women group representatives, the private sector and the academia.