While addressing participants at the International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies, celebrated on September 16 in Kanombe Sector, Kicukiro District, Dr. Arakwiye reaffirmed that protecting the atmosphere remains at the core of the country’s development agenda.

She pointed to the government’s introduction of high-tech vehicle emission testing systems as one of the key initiatives designed to reduce pollutants from the transport sector.

“Cleaner air is a national priority. By investing in advanced tools to track and reduce vehicle emissions, we are protecting both citizens’ health and the environment,” she stressed.

The Minister noted that Rwanda’s efforts are rooted in international agreements such as the Vienna Convention and the Montreal Protocol, which have rallied nations around concrete solutions to safeguard the ozone layer.

Partners such as ACES Cooling were praised for building capacity across Africa in energy efficiency, ozone protection, and climate adaptation. Dr. Arakwiye described the partnership as a model of how Rwanda seeks to merge science, technology, and training in order to deliver results on the ground.

Juliet Kabera, Director General of the Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA), also emphasized Rwanda’s leadership role:

“Rwanda continues to invest in clean technologies, strengthen national systems, and engage partners in projects like ACES Cooling to ensure sustainable solutions,” she explained.

The country’s second National Strategy for Transformation (NST2) sets a target to reduce harmful emissions by 38% between 2024 and 2029. According to the Ministry of Environment, this translates into cutting about 4.6 million tonnes of carbon dioxide by 2030.

These ambitions align with Rwanda’s commitments under the Paris Agreement, which seeks to prevent global warming from surpassing 2°C, with a safer target of 1.5°C.

Officials and experts agree that Rwanda’s push for clean air goes beyond national borders, reflecting a shared responsibility to future generations.

As the Minister concluded, “Our investments are not just about Rwanda. They are about contributing to a global movement that ensures cleaner skies and a healthier planet for all.”