On 14 November 2019, the former Minister of Environment and current Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Vincent Biruta, handed over to newly appointed Minister of Environment, Dr Jeanne d’Arc Mujawamariya. The ceremony was observed by the senior management team of the Ministry of Environment and its affiliated agencies.

In his remarks, Minister Biruta thanked the management and staff of the ministry and its affiliated agencies for providing a conducive and dedicated working environment during the five years he was Minister of Environment. He also took the opportunity to congratulate Minister Mujawamariya and pledged his ongoing support for the sector in his new role.

On the other hand, the incoming Minister Mujawamariya expressed her happiness at joining the Ministry of Environment team and shared her commitment to work together to deliver Rwanda’s green growth goals. She also said she was excited to learn about the many initiatives being undertaken in the environment sector.

Prior to her appointment as Minister of Environment, Dr Mujawamariya had served as Rwanda’s Ambassador to the Russian Federation and non-resident Ambassador to the Republic of Belarus. She also previously served as Vice Chancellor at the Kigali Institute of Science and Technology, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office in Charge of Gender and Family Promotion, Minister of State in the Ministry of Education in Charge of Higher Education and Minister of State in the Ministry of Education in Charge of Primary and Secondary Education.

Minister Mujawamariya has a Ph.D. in physical chemistry.

View photos of the handover ceremony here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/98168367@N06/albums/72157711776763311