20 high-ranking diplomats from the United Nations bodies yesterday met with Kigali City authorities to assess the impact of the UN’s assistance to.

The diplomats came from Asia, Latin America, Europe and Africa representing the governing boards of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), UNICEF and World Food Programme (WFP).

They were led by Ould Abderrahim Hadrami, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary and Permanent Representative of Mauritania to the UN.

City Mayor Aisa Kirabo Kacyira said that the assistance that included financial support, has had a great impact, especially in ensuring foods security in the city, education, environmental protection and breaking the poverty circle.

"The city’s transformation process, under the UN support, has registered some tremendous success in women economic empowerment projects, urban agriculture, the city master plan and the expropriation processes,” Kirabo said.

The UN agencies currently fund about six projects in the city to a tune of over US$ 5.7 million. They include the waste management system, Agaseke promotion project, ICT capacity building in youths and urban agriculture.

Others are promoting education where they funded the construction of 34 classrooms in Gasabo and Nyarugenge districts and environmental management projects.

Rwanda is the only African country chosen to be visited by the UN high level delegation this year.

The visit follows a meeting of the Joint Executive Boards on January 18 where Rwanda presented progress on the Millennium Development Goals and results of UN collaboration.

Abderrahim told The New Times in a separate interview that Rwanda was chosen for its major role in ably utilising donor aid.

"There has been a good collaboration between both sides. We are here for first-hand assessment of the UN assistance to Rwanda which has had a great impact in terms of development, especially in women economic empowerment.” Abderrahim said.

The diplomats who are in the country for a 10-day visit also visited some of the UN-funded projects that include Kanyinya Primary school, Agaseke cooperative society in Kinyinya, and Rwanda Village where most of the UN funded projects are showcased.

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