Between June 5 and 7, 2017 RCMRD’s Director General, Dr. Emmanuel Nkurunziza participated in the Seventh Waves annual partnership edition. Since its inception in 2010, the Wealth Accounting and the Valuation of Ecosystem Services (WAVES) global partnership brings together WAVES partners from developed and developing countries, high-level government officials, United Nations agencies, academics, and experts from think tanks and nongovernmental organizations at its Annual Partnership Meeting.

This year’s meeting was to Share experiences and lessons on implementation and use of Natural Capital Accounting (NCA), with a focus on land and ecosystem accounts; discuss measures required for effective policy use of NCA; and Update the partnership on regional and global progress.

Dr. Vincent Biruta, the Minister of Natural Resources of the Republic of Rwanda gave the keynote speech on how land accounts are influencing and transforming policy across government. The Government of Rwanda hosted the 7th WAVES Annual Partnership Meeting in Kigali with the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources as the official co-host.

There were three thematic sessions with discussions focusing on land and ecosystem accounts, policy use of NCA and institutionalization of NCA at the country level.

Dr. Nkurunziza was made remarks during the Panel on Land and Ecosystem Accounts session on Tuesday June 6. His co-speakers included Coletha Ruhamya, Director General, Rwanda Environment Management Authority; Gem Castillo, Resource Economist and Board Secretary, Resources, Environment and Economics Center for Studies, Philippines and Amanda Driver, Director, Biodiversity Policy Advisor, South African National Biodiversity Institute.

Participants went on a field trip on World Environment Day (June 5th) to Gakenke District in the Lake Victoria Basin to help illustrate the policy uses of NCA with particular reference to land and ecosystem accounting.