Rwanda Cooperation Initiative (RCI) and the United Nations Rwanda marked the United Nations Day for South-South and Triangular Cooperation on 12th September 2025 at RCI’s Governance Center, Kigali, Rwanda.

The event brought together high-level government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, representatives of the United Nations in Rwanda, staff of Rwanda Cooperation, and students from across Africa who are currently studying in Rwandan universities, ensuring that diverse youth voices were included and exposed to this cooperation model in practice.

Underscoring the growing recognition of South-South Cooperation as a driving force in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), speakers noted that the commemoration goes beyond celebration, serving as a prelude to the upcoming Annual Convention on South-South and Triangular Cooperation, scheduled for December 2025.

In her opening remarks, Patricie Uwase, CEO of Rwanda Cooperation, captured the spirit of the day with a resonant message:

“Africa is no longer waiting for solutions; Africa is building them.”

She reflected on Rwanda’s journey of generously sharing knowledge with countries across the Global South:

“Rwanda has opened its doors to over 700 delegations. We have walked with our brothers and sisters from Chad to Eswatini, from Guinea to Lesotho. Not as teachers, not as students, but as partners. Together, we have built e-tax systems, procurement platforms, and financial reforms. Together, we have proved that development is not imported—it is exchanged.”

A Call for Collective Solutions

Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Ozonnia Ojielo, UN Resident Coordinator in Rwanda, reminded the audience of the urgency of cooperation in today’s interconnected world, citing unprecedented challenges such as climate change, food insecurity, and widening digital divides.

“These complex issues demand solutions that are locally rooted, globally connected, and collectively owned.”

He emphasized that such challenges can be overcome when countries unite through cooperation:

“Cooperation is no longer optional, it is essential. It allows countries to learn together, adapt together, co-create solutions, share expertise, and accelerate progress towards the SDGs.”

Reflections and Youth Perspectives

The day also featured panel discussions with emerging African leaders and reflections from partner countries, highlighting the transformative role of knowledge exchange in shaping Africa’s future. Youth participants expressed optimism about Africa’s trajectory but urged that young people be positioned as active contributors in development rather than passive beneficiaries. They commended RCI for giving them a platform to voice their perspectives on this global occasion.

Commitment to South-South Cooperation

In her closing remarks, Ms. Clementine Mukeka, Rwanda’s Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of International Cooperation and Foreign Affairs, applauded RCI and the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office for convening an impactful event. She reaffirmed Rwanda’s strong commitment to South-South and Triangular Cooperation:

“This is one of the strongest ways to build solidarity, share ideas, and drive progress together.”

She emphasized that delegations come to Rwanda not only to study reforms in finance, governance, or urban management, but also to learn from the country’s home-grown solutions. She called for pragmatism and tangible results:

“Let’s turn commitment into real results. Our youth is ready. It is up to us to invest in our institutions, partnerships, and turn knowledge into impact.”

Representatives of the diplomatic community commended Rwanda’s consistent leadership in advancing South-South and Triangular Cooperation, pointing to Rwanda’s institutional, policy, and programmatic innovations as models that inspire progress across the continent and beyond.