This week, world leaders and environmentalists will meet in Stockholm, Sweden to commemorate 50 years since the 1972 United Nations Conference on the Human Environment, which made the environment a pressing global issue for the very first time. The meeting, known as Stockholm+50, is hosted by Sweden, Kenya and the UN and comes at a critical time in the global effort to protect our environment and promote sustainable development.

Today, Planet Earth is in crisis. Climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution are threatening not only our way of life, but the very stability of the natural world that we depend on for our food, water, clean air and well-being.

That is why Stockholm+50 is so important. It will draw on the power of multilateralism to accelerate implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals, including by promoting a sustainable recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Stockholm+50 is unique in another important way. Over the last few months, consultations have been held with individuals, communities, private sector organisations and governments around the world to capture the perspectives of those who will not be seated at the conference table in Stockholm. The Government of Sweden requested the United Nations Development Program to carry out consultations in 58 countries, including Rwanda.

The outcomes of these dialogues will inform Stockholm+50 through the presentation of national reports as well as a global synthesis that captures key findings, recommendations and data on the views, hopes and aspirations of citizens from all walks of life in a broad range of countries.

A number of consultation workshops have taken place in Rwanda to collect views that will be presented to the summit alongside other citizen contributions. The consultations have been led by the Government of Rwanda, through the Ministry of Environment, the United Nations Development Programme and the Embassy of Sweden in Rwanda.

In Shangasha and Mukarange sectors of Gicumbi District, residents, including young people and women, called for more initiatives that enable Rwandans to adapt to climate change, and for greater employment opportunities for young people in the conservation sector.

A workshop held with people living with disabilities heard how sustainable development can only be achieved if everyone has a seat at the table - from policy making to grass roots programmes and projects.

A national consultation held in Kigali produced distinctive views from participants through a broad-based and inclusive dialogue. It was attended by representatives of government institutions, development partners, young people, media and other stakeholders who shared innovative ideas and insights on how Rwanda can achieve a healthy environment and prosperity for all.

Participants spoke about the need to adopt new approaches to dealing with climate change, including by leveraging carbon finance. They called for greater investment in climate change adaptation and for increased global commitment to the principles of loss and damage.

They also highlighted the importance of strengthening accountability through governance, knowledge management and reporting, and called on the private sector to boost investment in nature and green technologies to address environmental challenges and create jobs.

Participants spoke of the need to draw on Rwanda’s strong-track record of climate action to enhance global financing partnerships and put in place new accountability measures that ensure results on the ground.

These and other perspectives will be collated into a global report to inform discussions at Stockholm+50 - ensuring the voices and views of typically underrepresented people are heard loud and clear.

To make sure everyone can contribute to the global sustainable development agenda, the organisers of Stockholm+50 have also created the State of the Planet: Global Public Survey. The survey captures opinions about the state of the world’s progress towards a sustainable planet. We invite you to complete the survey on the Stockholm+50 website. Answers are anonymous and the survey takes only five minutes to complete.

Stockholm+50 has undertaken a multi-stakeholder approach that prioritised the inclusion of the youth, as they are the custodians of the environment and the future of our planet, women, indigenous groups and civil society groups in the decision-making process.

Stockholm+50 is not simply another conference. It is a unique opportunity to draw on the passion, intellect, experience and skills of humankind to build a healthy planet for the prosperity of all. This is both our shared responsibility, and our greatest opportunity.

Rwanda will join other nations in Sweden to contribute to this ambitious goal and learn from others. By working together and drawing on our common humanity, there is no challenge we cannot overcome. Now is the time for bold choices. It’s time for urgent action. It’s time for a better future on a healthy planet for the prosperity of all.

By Dr. Jeanne d’Arc Mujawamariya, Minister of Environment, H.E. Johanna Teague, Swedish Ambassador to Rwanda, H.E. Philip Githiora, Acting Kenyan High Commissioner to Rwanda and Maxwell Gomera, UNDP Rwanda Resident Representative.

Learn more about Rwanda’s Stockholm+50 consultations and involvement in the summit at sparkblue.org/stockholm50/consultation-rwanda and complete the State of the Planet: Global Public Survey at stockholm50.global/state-planet-global-public-survey.