• Excellencies
• Ladies and gentlemen

First of all, I express my appreciation to the Government of China for your leadership through the COP15 Presidency, and the people and Government of Canada for hosting us here in beautiful Montreal.

In Rwanda, we understand that our shared prosperity depends on our relationship with nature.

That is why the environment sits at the heart of our Vision 2050, climate action plan and green growth strategy.

Here in Montreal, we have a once in a generation opportunity to protect and restore biodiversity and reset our relationship with nature.

We must put nature first, address unsustainable consumption, and agree on a new global biodiversity framework that protects all life on earth.

We can achieve a framework with specific targets, commensurate financing, technical support and technology sharing if we work together - across borders and boundaries.

In Rwanda, we are playing our part to ensure biodiversity is on the road to recovery by 2030.

We are expanding our national parks to contribute to the global target of 30 percent of land and sea under protection by 2030, and 50 percent by 2050.

We are maintaining and growing our forest coverage, which is currently 30.4 percent, to increase carbon stocks and habitats.

We are protecting endangered species including the majestic Mountain Gorilla and the Eastern black rhino.

As we define a biodiversity framework fit for the future, the Commonwealth’s Blue Charter and Living Lands Charter are valuable tools to strengthen our commitment to nature.

I take this opportunity to encourage nations to join the High Ambition Coalition to End Plastic Pollution.

An ambitious and effective legally binding treaty to end plastic pollution by 2040 will result in enormous benefits for both biodiversity and people.

Thank you for your kind attention.