The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Louise Mushikiwabo, is leading a Rwandan delegation to Beijing, China, where they are attending a major international security meeting.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Louise Mushikiwabo, is leading a Rwandan delegation to Beijing, China, where they are attending a major international security meeting.
The Munich Security Conference (MSC) is an annual high-level gathering that discusses international security issues.
Addressing the conference yesterday, Mushikiwabo underscored China’s important role in ensuring peace and security around the world, especially considering its one of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council.
The minister said China was a global actor and was expected to continue playing a positive role in promoting international peace and security.
Rwanda, she said, appreciates China’s non-interference policy in internal affairs of other countries, adding that this position does not contradict the Asian country’s position as a major actor and influencer on the international stage.
Mushikiwabo also saluted what she called China’s increasing role in international peacekeeping operations, but urged Beijing to continue scaling up its involvement in peacekeeping matters so that it’s commensurate with its role in international security matters.
At the meeting, Mushikiwabo also participated in a health security roundtable during which she underscored the importance of health on security issues around the world.
Lt Gen Karenzi Karake, the presidential advisor on defence and security, who is part of the delegation to Beijing, also attended a cyber security roundtable, highlighting the impact of cyber threat on national security.
He said this threat emerges from the dependence of a nation’s functioning on the underlying power of technology on all aspects of modern life.
Any global security solution that does not contribute to global cyber security, Karenzi said, weakens cyber security chain.
He called for a new approach in international cooperation in cyber security in enabling skills transfer, and ensuring that global norms and best practices are equally practiced and availed globally.
Karenzi told participants that Rwanda recognised these challenges and, as such, formulated appropriate polices and established relevant institutions, while it is also building capacity to deal with cyber crime.
The two roundtables were organised as part of the Munich Security Conference.
Currently under the chairmanship of seasoned German diplomat, Amb. Wolfgang Ischinger, the Munich Security Conference brings together senior leaders from politics, business, academia, and civil society from around the world to discuss issues related to international security.
The conference has previously been held in Africa, Americas and Europe.
Meanwhile, Minister Mushikiwabo and her delegation are today scheduled to hold bilateral talks with various Chinese officials on matters of mutual interest.