Though it was established on 16 June 2010 as a non-profit foundation under Korean Law it was converted into a full-fledged international organisation on 18 october 2012. The number of Global Green Growth Institute states is growing fast with 30 members countries that have already ratified their treaties and another 30 on the way to membership, these 60 countries are a group of Green Growth Champions.

This was reiterated by Frank Rijsberman, Director General of Global Green Growth Institute during the maiden Africa Green Growth Forum that opened in Kigali on Monday with experts pushing for increased private sector investment in green growth, in support of Africa’s bid for sustainable development.

The week-long gathering kicked off with a high level green growth and climate resilience strategy policy dialogue and launch of Rwanda National Determined Contributions (NDC) partnership plan.

According to Rijsberman who leads the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) in supporting governments’ transition towards a model of economic growth that is environmentally sustainable and socially inclusive said that green growth is the only path for Africa.

"Climate change is the defining issue of our time , for example the heat waves and the fires in California, the draughts and the tycoons and the rapid changes in the climate that scientists are predicting. It is critical to tackle pollution and at the same time tackle climate change” Rijsberman.

He added that the most important message I have for you is that green growth is affordable and wished-for Rwanda to commit to a hundred per cent renewable leading to net zero emissions.

"Rwanda should have specific targets for the next National Green Growth and Climate Resilience Strategy (GGCRS) for example electric vehicles, which will soon be cheaper, green buildings and hundred percent climate resilient agriculture” he added.

Minister for Environment Vincent Biruta along with the Minister Education and Frank Rijsberman, Director General of Global Green Growth together with other delegates visited Kigusa Primary in Bugesera to learn about Rwanda's green schools program as part of AGGF2018.

The delegates had a chance to support and see the greening schools activities that included greening school playgrounds through tree planting and installing rainwater tanks and the efforts that have been done to instill a culture of environmental protection from the ground up.

The Green Schools event aimed at getting school communities to think about solutions  for environmental and sustainability challenges, and to make schools healthier.

As an advocate for sustainable development, Dr. Rijsberman is focused on supporting GGGI Member and partner governments to implement their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement and achieve their Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) targets.