President Paul Kagame is in Belgium to attend the 12th edition of the European Development Days (EDD), which runs from 5-6 June 2018, according to a statement from his office.

This is the second year in a row that the President is attending the gathering that is organised by the European Commission and brings together the development community to be able to share ideas and experiences and also inspire new partnerships.

Themed ‘Women and Girls at the Forefront of Sustainable Development: protect, empower, and invest’, this year’s EDD meetings will focus on the vital role of women and need for their full and equal participation and leadership in achieving SDGs.

"For Rwanda, the meetings present an opportunity to exchange on bilateral matters, regional and global issues,” reads part of the statement.

While in Belgium, President Kagame will also meet with King Philippe of Belgium, and hold bilateral talks with Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel.

The President will also hold meetings with EU leaders including Donald Tusk, President of the European Council; Neven Mimica, EU commissioner for international cooperation and development; Federica Mogherini, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/VP of the European Commission; Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the EU Commission; and Antonio and Antonio Tajani, Speaker of the European Parliament.

The President will also speak at the opening ceremony of the EDD on 5th June alongside leaders and Heads of State including Her Majesty Queen Mathilde of Belgium, Her Majesty Queen Letizia of Spain, President Marie Louise Colero Preca of Malta and President Roch Marc Christian Kabore of Burkina Faso.

Others who will attend include President George Manneh Weah of Liberia, Prime Minister Solberg of Norway, UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed and Speaker of the European Parliament Antonio Tajani.

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