1. Background

Several multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs) and laws have been put in place to address some of the world’s complex environmental challenges, including management of chemicals and conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. Effective implementation of MEAs at national, regional, and global levels can contribute to addressing the environmental and social issues associated with agriculture. However, Low and Middle-income countries (LMICs) face considerable challenges in the implementation of these MEAs due to a lack of inadequate and qualified human resources, institutional and technical capacity and financial constraints among others.

Currently, in most african countries, agricultural productivity is being sustained through heavy reliance on externally-sourced synthetic agricultural inputs such as inorganic fertilizers and pesticides for soil fertility and pest/disease management, respectively, some of which are classified as Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHPs); which result in further demerit to flora and fauna and human life. Additionally, over dependence on scarce natural resources, climate change, and pollution including from chemical mismanagement have become some of the critical challenges to mankind. There is alarming evidence suggesting that the global environmental boundaries are reaching their thresholds and tipping, evidenced by the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, pest outbreaks and other ecological imbalances.

Agriculture is the main economic activity in Rwanda, providing about 64 % of employment and accounting for about 24% of gross domestic product (GDP) that translates to about a third; 5% contribution to the National GDP growth (MINAGRI, Annual report 2019-2020) . The sector still faces some challenges including land degradation, decreasing soil fertility and soil erosion, heightened by the fact that around 90 percent of Rwandan territory lies on slopes; and vulnerability to climate shocks since Rwandan agriculture is largely rain-fed. In addition, the outbreak of diseases and pests threatens crops, livestock, bees, trees, and fish, resulting in reduced performance of traditional crops and livestock breeds.

Rwanda is endowed with different natural ecosystems that harbor a massive wealth of biodiversity that range from humid montane forests to savannahs, lakes, rivers, and wetlands, which support a wide range of biodiversity. Biodiversity contributes significantly to the socio-cultural, economic, and environmental goods and services to the country and peoples’ livelihoods. However, these resources are disappearing at an alarming rate, and a good number of them are now threatened with extinction, which has led to loss of species, shrinkage in population sizes, and ecosystem degradation.

Rwanda has put in place most of the policies it requires for effective management of its biodiversity. However, several significant constraints, including secure and deploy funding, lack of awareness on biodiversity conservation and sustainable use, lack of coordination mechanisms, and monitoring and evaluation systems, are still among the significant challenges that hinder full implementation and achievement of the intended policy objectives. Rwanda has equally developed a comprehensive policy framework for conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity through its 6^th report on CBD for the post-2020 global biodiversity framework. The overall policy framework emphasizes the need to minimize environmental degradation, increase agriculture sustainability, conserve and restore biodiversity resources and ecosystem services that support it through a multi-sectoral approach. Therefore, the need to use and conserve biodiversity for food and agriculture cannot be overlooked on a sustainable basis.  Restoring and protecting Rwanda’s unique ecosystems and biodiversity requires a good understanding and knowledge of the resource base and the relevant capacity to do so. 

In order to tackle these challenges, on 14 October 2019, the EU and FAO signed a third phase of the ACP MEAs programme entitled “Capacity Building Related to Multilateral Environmental Agreements in ACP Countries – Phase 3” (MEAs 3 - GCP/GLO/006/EC) under the European Commission (EC) funds.

In partnership with the EU, FAO will provide support to the Government of Rwanda to promote environmental sustainability by strengthening environmental governance and the implementation of relevant Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs). The target MEAs are the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm Conventions (BRS), and indirectly the United Nations Convention to Combat Diversification (UNCCD) and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

The programme will develop and implement integrated approaches to address national biodiversity-related priorities and commitments in agriculture. It will promote ecosystem-based practices and approaches for agriculture and the sustainable use and conservation of biodiversity to ensure environmental sustainability, addressing climate change (adaptation and mitigation) while increasing food productivity. 

The programme will support national activities to mitigate environmental and social risks associated with the use of highly hazardous pesticides (HHPs) as follow up to resolutions made through the regional efforts to strengthen pesticide management and harmonize pesticide regulation in the EAC under ACP MEAs 2.

While all agricultural production systems are being considered, based on prior experience, a priority will be given to the country’s focus priority areas. Prior consultations with various stakeholders in Rwanda confirmed that ACP MEAs 3 programme is in alignment with the national agricultural and environmental policies, priorities and initiatives that seek to promote the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity in the critical sectors implicated for exerting the strongest pressures on biodiversity. Among the priority, areas identified include: Biodiversity for food and agriculture and associated traditional knowledge and wild foods in mixed farming systems (crops, livestock, bee keeping and aquaculture), sustainable forestry (agroforestry) and biomass and Improved pesticide management; promotion of integrated production and pest management (IPPM).

2. Expected outcome

ACP MEAs3 project will specifically provide support and contribute to enhance coordination, implementation, tracking and reporting of the adopted post 2020 biodiversity framework(Rwanda NBSAP) and build synergies with ongoing ecosystem based initiatives aligned to the objectives of this program and support the implementation of related MEAs across sectorial divide. The result of this project is to bring sustainable changes in agricultural policies and practices through ecosystem based approaches (EBA) that seek to increase food security and nutrition, improve livelihoods and incomes, protect biodiversity and the delivery of ecosystem services, while building resilience to climate change. This will result in a triple win model which will be assessed and refined based on socio-economic benefits & environmental sustainability criteria as defined in the SDGs framework. The revised national model will be widely disseminated and scaled up both through the program’s regional and global activities. 

3. Objective

The primary objective of the programme is to promote environmental sustainability in ACP countries by strengthening environmental governance and the implementation of Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs). In this context, the inception workshop, will bring together relevant national stakeholders, aiming at finalizing and adoption of the work plan that will determine the way forward for the project implementation in line with country’s priority needs and in synergy with other ongoing efforts/initiatives (projects & programs) in the country. Specifically, the inception workshop will focus on:

1. Presenting and sharing with stakeholders the project’s overview, activities, draft work plan and implementation strategy
2. Creating synergies with other on-going planned or completed Initiatives, relevant projects/programs at national levels
3. Setting the scene in terms of existing agro-biodiversity and pesticide management policies and strategies at country levels relevant to this project, with the view of determining needs/gaps this project can reasonably fill and/or complement.
4. Fine-tuning key aspects of the work plan and validation of the final work plan including activities and indicators as well as the road map for implementation strategy, in line with the country context and priority areas for the next three years (2021-2023)

4. Approach/Workshop methodology

The official project launch will be held online with opening remarks from key partners (MINAGRI, REMA/MOE, EU & FAOR), presentations on project overview and activities(Global, regional and national) by the ACP MEAs3 FAO team, status of national related MEAs and focus priority actions on day 1 while on day 2 we will have interactive discussions from the thematic groups (agrobiodiversity, agro-forestry and Pesticide management) and solicit inputs on perspectives from stakeholders and present the implementation strategy by the key host ministry(MINAGRI).

5. Participants and Agenda

Participants will be drawn from various key line ministries, organizations/institutions and RECs (EAC), i.e EU,FAO, MINAGRI, MOE, REMA, RAB, RICA, IUCN, ICRAF,RFA, NGOs, CSOs, Designated National Authorities (DNAs on relevant MEAs), Universities and research academia, farmers association, extension services, youth and women platforms and relevant UN agencies, among others.

6. Date & Venue

The official launch of the project will be held online on Thursday,27^thMay 2021 from 9h00  to 11h00 via zoom (link to be shared).