URUGWIRO VILLAGE - President Paul Kagame yesterday received a visiting delegation of the United Nations at Urugwiro Village where they held discussions regarding Rwanda’s progress towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

The delegation was led by Abderrahim Ould Hadrami, Mauritania’s Permanent Representative to the UN.

According to the UN Resident Coordinator, Aurélien Agbénonci, the 25–member executive board that comprises of main UN Agencies - UNDP, UNICEF, UNFPA and WFP came to see the progress and get an insight on the quality of work the country does with One UN.

"They came to share views with the President based on what they have seen during their visit to Bugesera, Rubavu, Musanze and Kigali,” Agbénonci said.

"Their impression is very positive. They will also report what they have seen here”.

Agbénonci added that during their discussions, Kagame shared his views on international cooperation and also emphasized that it is important that a country fights for its dignity.

"His Excellency shared about the resilience of people facing a tragedy like genocide as well as the tragedy of the Haitian people,” he added.

"The President highlighted his vision of development and explained that Rwandans should lead their own development citing that although aid is useful, the country does not want to depend on it, but rather use it to be self-sufficient.”

Officials also said that the government is on track on so many MDG indicators, adding that during the discussions with Kagame, it was agreed that the UN will support Rwanda to boost capacity building in a bid to attain the goals.

Rwanda’s efforts to assist Haiti during its tragic time as well as the determination to keep peace in Sudan were also commended.

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