The meeting brought together various representatives from governmental and non-governmental organizations, civil society, academia, youth, the private sector, and development cooperation agencies to discuss the coordination and monitoring of landscape restoration and the promotion of sustainable agriculture investments in Rwanda.

The meeting not only channelled lessons learned and experiences that could help enhance the efficiency of FLR and sustainable farming implementation but also discussed strategies to enhance collaboration between stakeholders in FLR and SFA to support the functioning of the Agriculture, Environment, and Natural Resources Sectors and contribute to the National Strategy for Economic Transformation (NST1) and PSTA-5 priorities while also meeting regional and international targets, including the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) and Paris Agreement targets.

Photo: Dr. Concorde Nsengumuremyi, Director General of the Rwanda Forestry Authority officiated the 17th National Cross-Sectoral Task Force convened in Nyamata, Bugesera, Eastern Province of Rwanda

The meeting, marked by determination and shared commitment to environmental stewardship, commenced with Dr. Concorde Nsengumuremyi, Director General of the Rwanda Forestry Authority, citing and unpacking pressing issues such as the shocks of the climate crisis and biodiversity loss, resonating not only in Rwanda but worldwide.

Addressing the audience, Dr. Concorde expressed a sense of urgency and commended Rwanda’s commitment and dedication to forest preservation and biodiversity enrichment. He added that the nation aims to increase forest cover, positioning it as a leader in global environmental initiatives.

"Forest and landscape restoration (FLR) represents a beacon of hope, signalling a collective journey towards ecological balance and human prosperity. Realizing this vision requires concerted efforts from diverse stakeholders," he underscored.

Ongoing initiatives such as Transforming Eastern Province through Adaptation (TREPA) in the East, Community-Based Biodiversity Conservation (COMBIO) in the East, Large-scale Forest Landscape Restoration (FLR) in Africa (AREECA) in the East, DeSIRA action research on agroforestry in the East, Green Amayaga in the South, and Green Gicumbi in the North demonstrate Rwanda's multifaceted approach to ecosystem restoration.

Photo: Dr. Alphonce Guzha, the Programme Manager, thanked both GCF and BMU for enabling and funding the 17th National Cross-Sectoral Task Force meeting

On behalf of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Dr. Alphonce Guzha, the Programme Manager, thanked both Green Climate Fund ( GCF) and the German Government through its Ministry of the Environment, Nature Conservation, and Nuclear Safety (BMU) for enabling and funding the 17th National Cross-Sectoral Task Force meeting as part of the Transforming Eastern Province through Adaptation (TREPA) and Large-scale Forest Landscape Restoration project (AREECA).

“Currently, the Government of Rwanda, in partnership with IUCN and other partners, are implementing different FLR projects in Rwanda, especially in the Eastern Province due to its vulnerability to droughts," said Dr. Alphonce Guzha, IUCN Rwanda, Programme Manager.

He added that the intimate relationship between landscapes and livelihoods cannot be overemphasized. IUCN Rwanda is accentuating sustainable agriculture and value chain development in line with the nation's drive for food security in healthy landscapes.

Photo: Attendees convened in group discussions to deliberate on a range of opportunities and obstacles pertaining to forest landscape restoration and sustainable agricultural endeavours in Rwanda

Acknowledging the link between healthy food systems and landscapes, Dr. Concorde emphasized the need to prioritize sustainable and climate-resilient agriculture amidst challenges posed by agricultural intensification, climate change, and soil erosion. Aligning forest landscape restoration efforts with agricultural investments assumes paramount importance, echoing sentiments expressed during previous National Cross-Sectoral Task Force Meetings.

Photo: Vice Mayors representing the districts of Eastern Province were among the participants in attendance

He concluded his remarks at the 17th CSTF meeting encouraging everyone to remain on the frontline in putting into effect enhanced coordination, knowledge sharing, and working hand in hand, urging stakeholders to unite in pursuit of sustainable forest and landscape restoration and resilient agriculture leading to harmony between human and nature.

Established after an international workshop in Kigali in June 2015, the National Cross-Sectoral Task Force Meeting has since served as a pivotal platform for coordinated activities in forestry landscape restoration and sustainable food and agriculture. Each annual meeting addresses critical issues such as land degradation, deforestation, erosion, and biodiversity loss, reflecting Rwanda's proactive stance towards safeguarding ecosystems and promoting sustainable development.

Photo: Ephrem Imanirareba from IUCN presented updated Terms of Reference for the National Cross-Sectoral Task Force

Noteworthy Presentations Spotlighted at the 17th National Cross-Sectoral Task Force Convening in Nyamata, Bugesera

• Mr Modeste Nzirabatinya, Vice Mayor - Kirehe District  presented success stories from the AREECA project in Kirehe District
• Dr Sirikare Sylvere, Technical Coordinator at Rwanda Forestry Authority presented Journey and policy implications for restoration of ecosystems on lakeshores and riverbanks using indigenous tree species.
• Peter Ntaganda, Lake Kivu, and Rusizi River Basin Landscape Manager, WRI shared insights and policy implications from the Restore Local project and Terrafund for AFR100 landscape.
• Prof. Elias BIZURU, Biodiversity Conservation Expert at Enabel presented lessons learnt and policy implications from native tree species in Forestry and Agroforestry sector.
• Jules Rutebuka, Regional Programme Officer, Sustainable Agriculture at IUCN presented Sustainable Land health and IUCN tools including IUCN Standards on Nature-based Solutions (NbS)
• Ephrem Imanirareba, IUCN Senior Programme Officer presented the Updated Terms of Reference for the National Cross-Sectoral Task Force  on Forest Landscape Restoration and Sustainable Food Agriculture
  Photo: Technical staffs from government and non-government organizations attended the 17th National Cross-Sectoral Task Force