Jean Marie Vianney Mushinzimana, who represented the Minister of State in charge of Environment, Water and Mines stressed the importance of uniting in one Forum. “This initiative has come at the right time, when the government of Rwanda is trying to revive the economy highly depending on natural resources managements,” Mr. Mushinzimana said.

He also suggested that the forum should sign a Memorandum of Understanding with his ministry, so as to streamline the collaboration between the two parties.

“Once the Forum is in place, there will be urgent need for members to work faster and be able to deal with the aspect of climate change which is a big threat to natural resources for example through the reduction of water levels in lakes and rivers as well as the deterioration of the environment in general,” he said.

The regional coordinator for the East African region of ANEW, Edwin Gichangi, for his part described his organization as a regional networking body of African civil society organizations (CSOs) actively involved in sustainable water management, water supply and sanitation.

“ANEW is committed to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals of which Rwanda can benefit highly,” Mr. Gichangi said.

He also remarked that in the past a lot of funds were allocated to Rwanda but it was impossible for an individual NGO to access them. “The formation of this forum has opened opportunities in funding, training as well as information sharing for capacity building to the Rwandan CSO,” he said.

One voice

Frank Habineza, the National Coordinator of NBDF and Board member of ANEW representing Eastern Africa, remarked that after recognizing the urgent need for an inclusive forum on water, sanitation and environment, NBDF Rwanda became the first platform to bring stakeholders together.

“Being only concerned with the Nile Basin, NBDF saw the need to reach all Rwandans in different parts of the country through a new forum bringing together the different partners,” Mr. Habineza explained.

He expects the Forum to bring together all actors in the water, sanitation and environment sectors, and giving them one voice that can be represented both in the civil society platform and also in different government initiatives, as well as enhancing resources mobilization and capacity building amongst all concerned stakeholders.

Clement Kirenga from the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning said that currently 64% of the population has access to safe drinking water, and for sanitation this is 38%. He added that there should be a linkage between the Economic Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy (EDPRS) and the sectors of water, sanitation and environment.

At the end of the meeting office members of the Executive council of the new Forum were elected, with Frank Habineza from the Rwanda Environmental Conservation Organization elected as president; George Williams Bagabo from the Rwanda Green Foundation as vice-president; Gashugi Leonard from Rwanda Initiative for Sustainable Agriculture and Environment as secretary general; and Florence Mukobwajana from Rwanda Women’s Network for Sustainable Development as treasurer.