Delegates from more than 13 countries are meeting in Kigali to discuss how countries can come up with effective measures to deal with environmental challenges. 

The two-day International Conference on Environment, Energy and Development (ICEED) attracted delegates from Tanzania, S. Korea, China, Rwanda, Hong Kong, Nigeria, Austria, Uganda, Canada, Kenya, Cameroon, Senegal, South Africa, among others. 

Opening the meeting, the Minister for Disaster Management and Refugee Affairs, Séraphine Mukantabana, said it is high time stakeholders get a common understanding of environment challenges. 

"We are facing the same environment issues although there might be a minor difference on how each country is affected; and coming together gives us a great opportunity to share our challenges to come up with lasting solutions to these challenges," said Mukantabana. 

The minister said the conference is an opportunity to learn from one another so as to apply successful mechanisms where similar situations occur world over. 

Rose Mukankomeje, the director-general of Rwanda Environment Management Authority, said it is high time governments and development partners come together to work toward overcoming environmental challenges.

The conference was organised by the Independent Institute of Lay Adventists of Kigali (INLAK), in collaboration with Xinjiang Institute of Geography and Ecology, a Chinese Academy of Sciences.  

INLAK Rector Jean Ngamije said attaining economic development requires collective mechanisms in tackling issues. 

"It is through these and other similar forums that countries shall work on improving on their home grown solutions to accelerate development,” he said.