Doha, Qatar — President Paul Kagame has credited Rwanda’s remarkable social progress to policies centered on people, accountability, and self-reliance, telling global leaders that true development cannot be imported or outsourced.
Speaking at the Second World Summit for Social Development, held at the Qatar National Convention Centre, Kagame explained that Rwanda’s transformation stems from a governance model that prioritizes human capital and participatory leadership. “Our governance is built on community participation, accountability, and social protection—every policy aims to enhance quality of life,” he said.
Marking 30 years since the Copenhagen Declaration, Kagame acknowledged strides made in reducing poverty and expanding access to education and healthcare worldwide. However, he cautioned that growing inequality signals the need for faster and more adaptive governance systems. “The problems are familiar, but our responses must evolve,” he urged, emphasizing that sustainable progress begins with investing in people.
Rwanda’s experience serves as proof of that philosophy. Following the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, the nation rebuilt itself through inclusive social programs such as Mutuelles de Santé, a community-based health insurance scheme now covering over 90 percent of Rwandans. As a result, life expectancy has risen dramatically—from 26 years in 1993 to nearly 70 years today.
In education, the country’s policy of free basic schooling has achieved near-universal enrollment, while initiatives like the Vision Umurenge Programme (VUP) continue to uplift vulnerable citizens through cash transfers, employment opportunities, and access to financial services. According to the 2025 Integrated Household Living Conditions Survey (EICV7), national poverty fell by more than 12 percentage points between 2017 and 2024, lifting approximately 1.5 million people out of poverty. Extreme poverty dropped to just 3.1 percent, alongside major gains in electricity access and mobile connectivity.
President Kagame also urged reform in international cooperation, noting that development partnerships must deliver measurable outcomes rather than empty pledges. He called on global financial systems to evolve to better serve all nations, saying, “If we are serious about social development, our solutions must respond to the realities of every country, not only a few.”
He concluded by reaffirming Rwanda’s readiness to collaborate toward a fairer global future. “We must anticipate future challenges and prepare to meet them together,” Kagame said. “Rwanda is ready to play its part in building a resilient and inclusive world.”
The three-day UN summit, running through November 6, gathers heads of state, senior UN leaders—including Secretary-General António Guterres and General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock—and civil society representatives to accelerate global progress toward the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals amid the growing pressures of conflict and climate change.
