At the Second World Summit for Social Development in Doha, Qatar, President Paul Kagame urged world leaders to embrace a new model of global cooperation that delivers fairness, accountability and measurable results for all nations.
The Head of State said that it was time to reform international partnerships so that they truly serve the world’s collective needs rather than the interests of a few.
The two-day high-level summit, held under the auspices of the United Nations General Assembly, brought together Heads of State and Government to renew their commitment to inclusive social progress.
With most countries falling behind on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the meeting aimed to refocus global efforts on reducing inequality, expanding decent work, and ensuring access to basic social protection.
“We must redefine our approach to partnerships. Too often, global cooperation is not balanced. We must move away from outdated practices that exclude the majority of the world. For multilateral engagements to be effective, they will need to be tailored to delivering universal, measurable and timely results, not promises. If we are serious about social development, then our solutions must serve the needs of all countries, not just a few,” he said.
Rwanda’s development model highlighted
Drawing from Rwanda’s experience, Kagame said the country’s rapid transformation over the past three decades was built on empowering citizens to drive change, participate in decision-making, and hold institutions accountable.
He noted that Rwanda had made major strides in eradicating extreme poverty, improving access to healthcare and education, and expanding social services. Still, he acknowledged that inequality remains a pressing challenge, particularly in communities that continue to struggle with limited resources.
“These problems are not new. But our governments have not moved fast enough to address them. Improving social welfare is a continuous journey that requires adapting to the times, ,” he said.
“What is needed now is to stay the course and build on what we have achieved. Success will depend on many factors, but the most important is continuing to empower our people, that is the foundation of everything.”
Kagame emphasized that sustainable development cannot be delivered from the outside. Instead, it must be built through local capacity and self-reliance.
Rwanda–Qatar relations strengthened
On the sidelines of the summit, President Kagame met with the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, to discuss ways of deepening bilateral relations between the two nations. According to the Office of the President (Village Urugwiro), the talks centered on strengthening cooperation in key sectors, including investment, infrastructure, and air transport.
The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to advancing economic and diplomatic collaboration, building on ongoing joint ventures such as the Bugesera International Airport, where Qatar Airways holds a 60 percent stake.
The US$1.3 billion project is expected to make Kigali a regional hub for air transport and logistics, with capacity to handle up to 14 million passengers a year once completed.
Qatar Airways is also set to acquire a 49 percent stake in RwandAir, marking a significant step toward transforming Rwanda into a major aviation and business gateway in Africa. The partnership extends to financial services, linking the Kigali International Financial Centre with the Qatar Financial Centre to promote cross-border investment and economic growth.
Regional peace and security also featured in the talks, with both nations reaffirming support for diplomatic efforts in the Great Lakes Region and ongoing peace processes between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Qatar, which has played a mediation role in facilitating regional dialogue, continues to serve as a partner in promoting stability and economic cooperation in Central and East Africa.
Held at the Amiri Diwan in Doha, the meeting reaffirmed the shared vision of President Kagame and Emir Al Thani for a global order grounded in fairness, partnership, and mutual respect.
