The government has signed a $28 million (about Rwf19 billion) with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to support implementation of six projects under the second Economic Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy (EDPRS2).The beneficiary programmes include institutional capacity building within the Ministry of Natural Resources,  National Environment and Climate Fund, ecosystem rehabilitation, and protection for the poor green growth poverty and environment initiatives, according to Amb. Claver Gatete, the minister for finance and economic planning.Amb. Gatete said the need to strengthen capacity in Ministry of Natural Resources is vital for the overall economic growth."We need a strategic plan that will help the economy harness from our natural resources through the use of environmentally sustainable approach. For this to happen, we need to strengthen capacity for the institutions involved,” he said.The minister said eco rehabilitation and environmental protection in Burera, Nyamasheke and Musanze districts will be given priority."I would  also like to commend the UN country coordinator’s office for bringing together all UN entities into a single plan. This is a step forward that is going to significantly reduce duplication among UN agencies and will significantly reduce transaction costs on the side of government,” Amb. Gatete added.UN reaffirms supportLamin M. Manneh, the UN resident coordinator and UNDP country representative, promised more support for government programmes, especially those in line with socio-economic transformation agenda."We have an envelope package of about 400 million dollars as part of the support we are injecting in EDPRS2 programme; we strongly believe that addressing the challenge of capacity building will make it easy for the country to achieve its economic and social objectives,” Manneh said.The Minister for Natural Resources, Stanislas Kamanzi, said supporting a green growth approach will make the country’s national resource sector, including mining attract more funding from both foreign and local sources and, ultimately, drive the overall economic objectives of the country."To be able to drive home a green growth approach, you need right skills and capacity and this money is coming here to address the challenges,” Kamanzi said.He also said the ministry has made it a priority to address the challenge of skills so as to drive home both efficiency and quality with the sector of natural resources.The Director-General of Rwanda Environment Management Authority, Dr Rose Mukankomeje, said they are currently working with all stakeholders to ensure that development does not compromise the environment."Development often takes a toll on environment and the results are often catastrophic, so having the UN on board to support our  green growth economy objectives is not only a big boost to the EDPRS2 agenda but to the environment too.”  There has previously been a significant reduction of forest cover that had declined by 64 per cent, between 1960 and 2007, according to the report by the Ministry of Natural Resources.However, the country is increasing its forest cover, which currently stands at 28.3 per cent of the total surface area, and is on course to achieving the 30 per cent targeted cover by 2017.Last week, government launched the Environment report that presents numerous opportunities that private investors can tap into and make huge investments.The biannual report provides decision makers and stakeholders with information about the current state of the City of Kigali’s environment and suggests responses in line with the city’s master plan as well as the challenges and way forward.