The United Nations Resident Coordinator in Rwanda, Dr. Ozonnia Ojielo, received H.E. Ambassador Nakajo Kazuya, the newly appointed Ambassador of Japan to Rwanda, on a courtesy visit this week. The meeting provided an opportunity for both leaders to discuss ways to strengthen multilateral cooperation and support Rwanda’s development priorities.
According to the UN, discussions focused on advancing the Sustainable Development Goals in Rwanda, promoting private sector growth, and creating more decent jobs for the country’s youth. The meeting also highlighted the importance of collaborative partnerships between Rwanda, the United Nations, and bilateral partners in achieving tangible development outcomes.
The visit comes as Japan continues to demonstrate a strong and practical partnership with the United Nations in Rwanda. In January 2026 alone, the Government of Japan announced USD 1.2 million in support to the International Organization for Migration in Rwanda to strengthen climate resilience and assist communities vulnerable to extreme weather and displacement.
In addition, Japan pledged approximately USD 670,000 to the World Food Programme in Rwanda to provide life-saving food and nutrition assistance to 21,000 refugees, asylum seekers, and returnees. The Government also committed USD 1.3 million to UNICEF Rwanda to support essential health, nutrition, and WASH (water, sanitation, and hygiene) services for vulnerable populations affected by emergencies.
These contributions reflect Japan’s growing engagement in Rwanda across climate action, humanitarian response, youth employment, and social protection. Experts note that Japan’s consistent support makes it a reliable partner to the United Nations in delivering measurable results on the ground.
At the global level, Japan remains a key champion of multilateralism, human security, and sustainable development, consistently backing the United Nations’ efforts to promote peace, resilience, and inclusive growth worldwide.
