The world is on the brink of irreversible climatic and environmental change, making the current economic model, predicated on continuous expansion, struggle to deliver for most of the world.

However, officials have said, emerging technologies offer potential solutions despite also creating new challenges and risks.

The observation was made on Monday, June 12, during the opening press conference of the Kigali Global Dialogue, an annual platform that brings participants from around the world to deliberate and devise solutions to critical sustainable development challenges.

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Over 200 policymakers, academics, civil society, and the private sector representatives are attending the three-day conference co-hosted by the Observer Research Foundation (ORF), ORF-America, the Rwanda Governance Board (RGB) and the Rwanda Convention Bureau (RCB).

"This platform provides an opportunity to convene, interact and deliberate on complex contemporary and dynamic matters of development and growth,” said RGB Chief Executive Usta Kaitesi.

She added, "Rwanda’s journey affirms the importance of dialogue, citizen–centric growth and the role of transformational leadership in confronting existential issues.”

Reflecting on the impact of the dialogue, Kaitesi highlighted that the platform has been pivotal for, among others, Rwanda’s innovation ecosystem.

"We now have 25 startups from 11 countries coming to Kigali, engaging about their ideas but also finding some time to understand some ideas in this country. This speaks to how we share knowledge, expertise and new ideas.”

"The exchange of ideas that are facilitated by such conferences are critical for our innovation ecosystem.”

In the midst of compounding global crises, cooperation is our most potent tool, according to ORF President, Dr. Samir Saran.

The moment for action and collaboration is now, he added.

"It is of utmost importance to foster dialogue and create the spaces for diverse perspectives and experiences to be shared. This year we are bringing together delegates from more than 70 countries.”

A win for MICE

While majority of the conferences held in Rwanda are "one-off”, Janet Karemera, Deputy Chief Executive at Rwanda Convention Bureau (RCB), said that seeing returning events like Kigali Global Dialogue are a win for the country’s Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) sector.

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"We want to see more returning events. We don't only encourage one-off events. Of course there are some events that have to rotate among other countries but seeing more returning events is a testament to our growth as a meetings and conferences hub.”

According to Karemera, While Rwanda has been actively investing in the MICE sector with hope it could generate economic value for the country as well as raise its profile as a destination for business, there needs to be more done.

"Beyond events, we also encourage young people to leverage such developments, especially when institutions are paying for them to attend. We have high profiles coming to Kigali to share their experiences, we encourage young people to take advantage,” Karemera said.