Rwanda and Italy yesterday signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at strengthening and coordinating the efforts to combat global climate change.

The agreement was signed during the UN Climate Change Conference (COP22) in Marrakech, Morocco by Natural Resources Minister Dr. Vincent Biruta and Gian Luca Galletti, Italy’s Ministry for the Environment, Land and Sea.

The MoU seeks to enhance risk assessment, promote secure, clean and efficient energy, to stimulate the transition towards a sustainable low-carbon economy and to implement adaptation actions and opportunities to protect the environment and natural resources.

"I am especially pleased that we will work together on the implementation, monitoring, reporting and communication of Nationally Determined Contributions,” Biruta said. "With this year’s COP22 dubbed the ‘Action COP’, there is no doubt that we must turn our climate action plans into reality. I look forward to learning from the Government of Italy and sharing Rwanda’s experience in building climate resilience and adapting to a warming planet. By working together, we can ensure both nations reach our goals while also boosting ambition.”

He told his Italian counterpart that by 2050, Rwanda aims to be a developed, climate-resilient and low carbon economy.

"To achieve this, we need to rewrite the rules of development. Business as usual will not suffice. We must forge a new path by bringing together the best expertise, skills and resources. We must build economies that give dignity to our citizens and also protect the environment,” he said.

Other areas of cooperation in the MoU include; implementation, monitoring, and communication of the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), and promotion of sustainable crop and livestock production practices for greater food security and greenhouse gas emissions reduction.

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