Rwanda has taken another important step forward in its climate journey with the successful conclusion of the NDC 3.0 Technical Validation Workshop, an event that brought together leaders, policymakers, development partners, civil society, and private sector representatives. 

The workshop, organised by the Ministry of Environment and the Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA), and supported by a wide range of partners, was convened to review and validate the country’s updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0), also known as Rwanda’s Updated Climate Action Plan under the Paris Agreement. Covering the period 2025–2035, NDC 3.0 builds on the previous NDC 2.0 (2015–2030).

The validation workshop was an opportunity to ensure that Rwanda’s climate commitments are nationally owned, inclusive, and firmly anchored in the country’s broader development priorities. It was an important step to secure technical endorsement of the updated plan, ensuring it is both robust and realistic, while focusing on integrating climate resilience and green growth targets into national policy frameworks.

In her opening remarks, Juliet Kabera, Director General of REMA, stressed the importance of collaboration in advancing Rwanda’s climate ambitions:

“Every sector, every community, and every individual has a role to play in delivering our climate action plan. Resilience is not built in isolation, it is forged through partnerships, coordination, and shared responsibility,” she said.

This emphasis on shared responsibility set the tone for the workshop, reminding participants that climate action cannot succeed without cooperation across institutions, sectors, and communities.

Dr. Bernadette Arakwiye, Minister of Environment, underscored the need to move beyond ambition to implementation: “Ambition without implementation is only a promise. With resources, coordination, and partnerships, it becomes transformation,” she said.

She also highlighted the importance of treating adaptation and mitigation as complementary priorities, describing them as “two sides of the same path toward resilience.”

The Minister further emphasised that every investment in climate action, whether financial resources, innovative ideas, or partnerships, contributes to safeguarding Rwanda’s future. 

“Every dollar, every idea, and every partnership invested in climate action today is an investment in Rwanda’s secure and sustainable tomorrow,” she said.

During the workshop, David Ukwishaka from REMA presented Rwanda’s updated Climate Action Plan (NDC 3.0), outlining its key priorities, implementation pathways, and how the plan aligns with both Rwanda’s long-term development goals and the Paris Agreement. This presentation gave participants a clear picture of how Rwanda intends to reduce emissions while enhancing resilience across priority sectors.

In addition, Faustin Munyazikwiye, Deputy Director General at REMA, outlined the country’s priorities for the upcoming UN Climate Summit known as COP30,. These include securing climate finance, strengthening adaptation and resilience, advancing carbon markets, operationalising the loss and damage fund, scaling up mitigation efforts, and promoting a just transition.

From a financing perspective, Teddy Mugabo, CEO of the Rwanda Green Fund, emphasised Rwanda’s goal to mobilise partnerships and resources, deepen private sector engagement through Ireme Invest, and showcase transformative models of adaptation, green investment, and inclusive development.

As the workshop came to a close, the Minister of Environment called on all stakeholders to turn validated strategies into measurable actions.

“Our climate future is in our hands. By working together, we can turn our NDC 3.0 into concrete actions that make a lasting difference. The success of this NDC 3.0 depends on all of us. Let us move forward with courage, collaboration, and a commitment to a greener Rwanda,” she said.

As Rwanda prepares to present its updated NDC 3.0 to the international community at COP30, it does so with the backing of a broad coalition of stakeholders who share the vision of a climate-resilient, carbon neutral, and inclusive future.

Following the technical validation, the updated NDC 3.0 will be submitted for Cabinet approval, paving the way for its formal adoption and subsequent implementation across all sectors.

Rwanda’s updated NDC 3.0 was developed following a wide ranging consultation process and with support from a range of partners including UNDP, FAO, WFP, German-Rwanda Bilateral Cooperation funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), WHO, GGGI, UNFPA, CCAC, UNICEF, IFAD, UN Women, IOM, and ILO.

View photos from the workshop here.