The highly anticipated International Conference on Green and Sustainable Development (ICGSD 2025) brought together leading academics, policymakers, industry experts, and advocates to discuss pressing environmental challenges and explore sustainable solutions. The conference was organised by the University of Kigali, Rwanda in collaboration with North-West University, South Africa, and the University of Fort Hare, South Africa. Vice-Chancellor Prof. George Kimanthi welcomed participants and emphasised the importance of collaboration in driving sustainability forward. “I am delighted to welcome you to ICGSD 2025, where we will engage in critical discussions on climate change, green innovation, and sustainable development. This conference provides a platform for experts and stakeholders to collaborate on real-world solutions that will drive meaningful change,” he stated. Under the theme “Driving Green Innovation and Sustainable Development”, the conference features research presentations, expert panel discussions, and strategic dialogues. These sessions will address climate action, renewable energy, and sustainable economic policies to accelerate global sustainability efforts. Speaking on the role of youth in sustainability, Amb. Prof. Peter Ngure, Kenyan Ambassador to UNESCO, Paris, France, highlighted the significant impact of young advocates and entrepreneurs in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Prof Ngure challenged other universities on their role in attaining the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and stated that any university working outside the scope of SDGs is getting it wrong. “Any university curriculum should, therefore, be geared to respond to the attainment of the targets of the UN sustainable development goals. This calls, to a large extent, the need to revise the curriculum to make it more practical,” Ngure said. “Many young people actively engage in advocacy and grassroots movements to push for policy changes aligning with the SDGs. Through social media, community engagement, and activism, they raise awareness on key issues such as climate action (SDG 13) and gender equality (SDG 5),” he noted. Beyond advocacy, young innovators and entrepreneurs play a key role in technological advancements and social entrepreneurship. Prof. Ngure praised their contributions: “The youth are at the forefront of technological advancements and social entrepreneurship. Young entrepreneurs develop innovative solutions to address poverty (SDG 1), hunger (SDG 2), and quality education (SDG 4). Start-ups focused on clean energy, agriculture, and digital learning are examples of youth-led innovations contributing to the SDGs.” The Chief Economist, National Bank of Rwanda, Dr Thierry Kalisa, echoed the role of the National Bank of Rwanda in fostering sustainable financing instruments. A key highlight of the conference is the University of Kigali’s Green Ambition, a ground-breaking initiative to establish the institution as Rwanda’s first Green University. Philibert Afrika, chairman of the university governing body, outlined the five key focus areas of this initiative. “The University of Kigali’s Green Ambition is a strategic initiative that revolves around sustainable infrastructure, governance, research, community engagement, and student advocacy,” he explained. The initiative is built around five key thematic areas to foster sustainability within the University of Kigali. First, the construction of a green campus focuses on developing sustainable infrastructure to minimise environmental impact and promote eco-friendly practices. Second, sustainability leadership and governance involve the establishment of a green office to oversee sustainability efforts, ensuring that institutional policies align with global sustainability goals. Additionally, the curriculum and research component emphasises the integration of sustainability-focused education and research into academic programmes, equipping students with the knowledge and skills to drive sustainable development. The fourth pillar, social responsibility and community engagement, highlights the importance of collaboration with local communities, businesses, and international organisations to implement impactful sustainability initiatives. Lastly, student and faculty engagement is crucial in fostering a culture of environmental responsibility by encouraging awareness and advocacy for green practices across the university. Through these interconnected efforts, the University of Kigali aims to become a leader in sustainable education and innovation. During the Conference, North West University Business School launched the PhD Hub, where seven University of Kigali staff members were nominated for PhD studies at the NWU Business School. The PhD hub will support research related to Sustainable Development Goals. The University of Fort Hare also showcased its long-standing research initiatives in Sustainable Development. With sustainability at the core of global discussions, ICGSD 2025 is expected to serve as a pivotal platform for shaping policies and fostering collaborations to drive tangible environmental and developmental change. Marie Dalie Dukuze, Director of Advocacy and Multilateral Environment Agreement Monitoring at REMA, said that some of the tangible aspects of Rwanda’s green growth include reducing carbon emissions by 38 per cent by 2030 through community participation in massive tree planting drives, positioning Kigali as a green city, and the establishment of the Ireme Fund, among others. REMA is a green investment facility (with an initial capitalisation of $104m) designed to support Rwanda’s private sector in accessing green finance and accelerate climate mitigation and adaptation measures, among others. With development partners’ contributions, the Government of Rwanda plans to contribute $40 million to support the fund, and Rwf2.7 billion is being invested in start-ups and SMEs. Prof. Ogechi Adeola moderated a panel discussion on “Driving Green Innovation and Sustainable Business Growth”. The panel featured esteemed experts from Rwanda, South Africa, and UNESCO, who shared valuable insights on policy, innovation, and international collaboration. The discussion underscored that sustainability is not merely a goal but an economic necessity, calling for continued collective efforts to drive green innovation and sustainable growth. The panel included Doreen Ntawebasa, Director General of Trade and Investment at MINICOM, Rwanda; Marie Dalie Dukuze, Director of Advocacy and Multilateral Environment Agreement Monitoring at REMA; Eng. Dominique Mvunabandi, Director of Science, Technology and Innovation at UNESCO Rwanda; and Prof. Tshediso Joseph Sekhampu, Chief Director at North-West University Business School, South Africa. Their insights on policy, innovation, financing, and global partnerships enriched the discussion, offering actionable strategies for advancing sustainability initiatives. Speaking at the closing, the Conference Chair and Director of Research and Innovation Dr Ronald Kwena indicated that the conference will be an annual event. He added that the conference attracted participants from more than 35 countries. “We were proud to host an innovation showcase during the International Conference on Green and Sustainable Development.” Hosted by North West University-Business School, the showcase brought together talented innovators from universities across Rwanda. These brilliant minds presented prototypes and solutions to drive sustainability and create impactful change. A soil testing system using Artificial Intelligence and IoT was crowned the winner of the showcase. The innovators were judged based on the impact – potential for large-scale economic, social, or industry transformation with clear evidence of positive change; green innovation and sustainability – strong emphasis on eco-friendly practices and a minimal environmental footprint and SDG alignment – direct and strong alignment with one or more Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), addressing global challenges innovatively.
