REPUBLIC OF RWANDA

Statement by

Ambassador Mathilde Mukantabana, PhD.

At the United Nations Conference on South-South Conference

(BAPA +40)

Buenos Aires, Argentina

March 20-22 2019

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Mr President,

1. It is an honour for my delegation to participate at this historic

and important conference, on the occasion of the fortieth

anniversary of the Buenos Aires Plan of Action (1978).

2. The relevance of south-south cooperation is perhaps more

pronounced today than ever before, especially for the global

south that collectively face the brunt of global challenges such

as climate change.

3. The theme of this conference: ‘The Role of South-South

cooperation and the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for

Sustainable Development: Challenges and Opportunities’, is

precise and highlights the urgency for reinvigorating south-

south cooperation.

Mr. President,

4. It is clear that south-south cooperation will be a defining

element for the success of the 2030 Agenda. The convening

strength of the Global south cannot be ignored. Across the full

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 spectrum of the Sustainable Development goals (SDGs) the

importance of South-South cooperation is evident. Whether

the issue is sustainable agriculture (Goal 2) and fishing (Goal

14), infrastructural development (Goal 9) such as clean water

and sanitation (Goal 6) or sustainable and affordable energy

(Goal 7) or economic growth (Goal 8), the potential role for

South-South Cooperation is clear.

5. This is why it is vital for us to reaffirm and reenergize our

political commitment to a more effective south-south and

triangular cooperation. In addition, it is important for us to

share experiences, learn from what works and what doesn’t,

and strengthen our respective national policies.

Mr. President,

6. In my country Rwanda, south-south and triangular

cooperation has been a central feature of our development

plans and trajectory for a number of years now. What I would

like to share from our experience are two key points:

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 1. South-South and triangular cooperation should be driven

by national priorities instead of imposing cut-and-paste

solutions. For example, in Rwanda, whenever we deal

with development partners, we require mutual

transparency and alignment of all development projects

with national priorities. This is important to enhance

ownership of our development agenda, but also to ensure

that our partners deal with us on an equal footing and

are also held accountable.

2. Let us recognize that the global south is also bringing

something new to the table. We have best practices that

we can share with the world. In Rwanda for example,

gender equality and women's empowerment has become

a hallmark of our development agenda and indeed, a way

of life for us. Today, at over 60 percent, Rwanda has the

highest percentage of women in parliament in the world.

This has had a trickledown effect to other sectors, which

has contributed significantly to our development gains.

Mr. President,
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 7. Rwanda, and indeed Africa in general, considers south-south

cooperation as a cornerstone for creating a new and more

effective multilateralism that delivers for all and not for the

few. Our own continental development agenda in Africa,

Agenda 2063, places high among its priorities the issue of

strategic partnerships with the world in areas of trade,

investment, infrastructure, technology transfer, and climate

change and migration efforts, among others. This is a sign that

Africa is a vital player in strengthening south-south

cooperation.

In conclusion,

8. My delegation would like to express its commitment to

advancing the agenda of south-south cooperation. In addition,

we recognize the vital role that the United Nations plays as a

focal point for promoting, coordinating, and facilitating south-

south and triangular cooperation towards achieving the 2030

Agenda.