President Paul Kagame on Friday, October 14, received letters of credence from three new envoys who will be representing the United Nations, the European Union and Denmark in Rwanda. The envoys are Ozonnia Matthew Ojielo, the UN resident coordinator with residence in Kigali, Belén Calvo Uyarra, the EU ambassador with residence in Kigali, and Signe Winding Albjerg, the ambassador of Denmark with residence in Kampala. After presenting their credentials, the UN and EU envoys said they were committed to the good relations between Rwanda and their respective organisations with regards to the country’s development agenda. “Rwanda essentially now represents the aspirations of all Africans for socio-economic and structural transformation, not only of Rwanda, but also for the continent,” said Ojielo. He added that there are notable innovations in aspects of governance and economic development in which Rwanda has become a “pacesetter,” and that, other countries should emulate. “Look at all the key elements, Imihigo, Umuganda. There are many things that are happening in this country that perhaps if other African countries tried to apply them they could also accelerate their development transformation.” Ojielo said, “We also know that the government is very keen to bring in private sector investments in Rwanda. Since, development cannot be financed from public finances alone, you need a mix of resources, private investments from any part of the world. So, part of my responsibility is to support this initiative for the United Nations system to support efforts to bring private and blended financing. He added that he will support the government's effort to secure climate financing, among other things. Ojielo will coordinate 22 UN agencies operating in Rwanda. As part of his five-year agenda, Ojielo said his office will organise a biannual outreach programme in which the staff will explain the UN system to members of the Rwandan community. For Calvo Uyarra, she said she will boost EU’s relations with Rwanda in different areas of cooperation. “I am here to consolidate the extensive partnership that the European Union has developed with Rwanda – a partnership of trust – working in a broad number of areas,” said Calvo Uyarra. “The European Union works closely with Rwanda at multilateral level in the continent. And at a bilateral level, the EU is accompanying Rwanda’s national transformation strategy. “We are here supporting education and job creation for youth in the digital age. We are here to support green and sustainable agriculture and also political and economic governance.” She added that she will also expand EU-Rwanda cooperation in terms of trade and investment.
