IUCN Showcases Conservation Gains into Food-System Resilience and One Health PPR Awareness at Two Major International Events in Kigali

The events demonstrated on one hand the practical examples of how deployment of Nature-based Solutions and community-centric approaches reinforce mutual benefits of nature conservation and sustainable food systems under GCF TREPA project in the Eastern semi-arid areas at 2026 Africa Food Systems Forum (AFSF). On the other hand, IUCN contributed to the prevention, preparedness and response awareness for zoonotic diseases at Rwanda’s 21st Kwita Izina Gorilla Naming Ceremony under Pandemic Fund-supported One Health project (SOHPPRGVL) implemented in Rwanda, Uganda and DR Congo Greater Virunga Landscape. The two events showcased how conservation of wildlife, agriculture and food systems, livelihoods, public health, and development can work together across borders.

IUCN participation at these 2 events gave exposure to both policy and conservation leaders, reinforcing IUCN's mandate to raise the profile and awareness of the project at national, regional, and global levels.

Championed at the Africa Food Systems Forum: Kwita Izina and Sustainable Food systems

At the 2026 Africa Food Systems Forum in Kigali, one of the continent's largest gatherings on agriculture, food security, and sustainable development, IUCN joined the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), the Rwanda Nature Foundation (RNF), and the Greater Virunga Transboundary Collaboration (GVTC) to host a side event dedicated to showcase the linkage between nature conservation and food systems. Speaking at the event, Mr Eugene Mutangana, Executive Secretary of the Rwanda Nature Foundation, acknowledged that protecting the mountain gorilla has given Rwanda one of its greatest conservation and economic success stories. Panellists from IUCN, GVTC, RDB, and AWF emphasized via practical on the ground projects they are implementing, the roles that nature conservation plays in improved food value chains, livelihoods enhancement, economic opportunities and ultimately leading to resilient communities.

Ms. Kaori Yasuda, IUCN Country Representative in Rwanda, emphasized how “nature-positive action can improve food security and local economies” at AFS 2026. She highlighted IUCN’s contribution to nature conservation and sustainable food systems across its portfolio in Rwanda by deploying Nature-based Solutions (NbS) and community-centred approaches. The Green Climate Fund (GCF)-supported TREPA project as example has achieved up to 90% of its restoration target across drought-degraded landscapes in Rwanda’s Eastern Province, contributing to improved land productivity and ecosystem health. Key interventions include the promotion of agroforestry systems; sustainable forest management and ecosystem restoration; strengthening sustainable value chains and market access; and the restoration and promotion of indigenous tree species.

Through these interventions, communities have also developed small-scale businesses and successfully mobilized a total of RWF 12.67 billion in loans from microfinance institutions, including district-level SACCOs. This demonstrates how ecosystem restoration and sustainable land management can generate both environmental and socio-economic benefits for local communities.

Moreover, the SOHPPRGVL One Health project was prominently featured during the event through media and branding works for awareness-raising activities on prevention, preparedness, and response (PPR) across the Greater Virunga Landscape (GVL) for controlling the disease outbreaks and zoonotic diseases. Using awareness banners and one-on-one engagement, the project provided participants with information on One Health and PPR, highlighting the importance of multisectoral disease surveillance and early-warning systems that integrate human, animal, and wildlife health.

Together, this event demonstrated IUCN’s integrated approach to People and Nature, linking ecosystem conservation, sustainable livelihoods, food security, climate resilience, and One Health to build healthier and more resilient communities and landscapes.

Mr Jean Claude HABIMANA, One Health Communications Specialist on risk communication and community engagement at IUCN with Ms Kaori Yasuda, IUCN Rwanda Country Representative and Dr Alphonce Guzha, IUCN Rwanda Programme Manager at Kwita Izina, Musanze.

Celebrated at Kwita Izina 21

On 4 September 2026, IUCN carried the message of People and Nature, emphasizing that human well-being and healthy ecosystems are interconnected, during the globally recognized gorilla naming ceremony, Kwita Izina 2026, in Rwanda. The event brings together the international conservation and tourism community to celebrate and support the conservation of mountain gorillas and the wider Virunga landscape.

IUCN raised awareness of the interconnectedness between people, wildlife, and protected and conserved areas, while highlighting the importance of sustainable livelihoods and ecosystem conservation. IUCN also recognized the outstanding contribution of the SOHPPRGVL project to strengthening prevention, preparedness, and response (PPR) awareness against zoonotic diseases and human-wildlife conflicts in the Greater Virunga Landscape, under the leadership of Ms. Kaori Yasuda, IUCN Country Representative for Rwanda.

IUCN was among the official sponsors of the event, supporting efforts to promote mutual conservation benefits for people, wildlife, and nature-based livelihoods across the Greater Virunga Landscape. IUCN, in collaboration with the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), promoted the event as a plastic-free ceremony by distributing reusable water bottles to participants in Musanze. IUCN hopes that this initiative will contribute to promoting and replicating plastic-free events elsewhere in Rwanda. In addition, the One Health project provided an opportunity for technical experts to engage participants in prevention, preparedness, and response (PPR) awareness during Kwita Izina 2026. 

The project also supported the dissemination of scientifically credible information on threatened species and the importance of their conservation. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species is the world's most comprehensive information source on the global conservation status and extinction risk of animal, plant, and fungal species. The mountain gorilla is currently classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List. Its conservation status was improved from Critically Endangered to Endangered in 2008, following significant conservation successes.

As a member of the Friends of Conservation, IUCN though One heath / SOHPPRGVL project received a high-level seat, including a wide range of visibility across all communication platforms for the Kwita Izina Ceremony. IUCN promoted a plastic free environment by availing reusable water bottles (One health branding) which were handed to all high-level attendees, mainly former Presidents (Heads of the Government), former Prime Ministers, Ambassadors based in Kigali, Head of International Organisations, Ministers, Governors, Mayors, and Gorilla Namers.

Mr Jean Claude HABIMANA, One Health Communications Specialist on risk communication and community engagement at IUCN with Ms Kaori Yasuda, IUCN Rwanda Country Representative and Dr Alphonce Guzha, IUCN Rwanda Programme Manager and IUCN Member team from SACOLA at Kwita Izina, Musanze

Why It Matters

The two platforms reached largely different audiences with a consistent story about the same set of activities. At the AFS2026, IUCN and partners spoke to the intricate linkage between conservation and sustainable food-systems while Kwita Izina 21 in Musanze, the message reached the global conservation and tourism community. Participating in the two events ensured that IUCN particularly SOHPPRGVL one health project became visible to sectors that rarely share a stage, with a consistent framing of a practical, activity-driven solution for people, agriculture, nature, and the planet, not an abstract funding line.

Joint participation -IUCN, RDB, RNF, and GVTC at the AFSF also demonstrated a united regional front, strengthening the project's credibility as a transboundary initiative. By anchoring these activities in a food-systems forum attended by heads of state and regional policymakers, IUCN positioned SOHPPRGVL as a continental example of integrated pandemic-preparedness work, not a narrow conservation side project.

About SOHPPRGVL

The project aims to enhance the resilience of vulnerable communities in the Greater Virunga Landscape (GVL) by establishing robust One Health-based systems to prevent, detect, and respond to zoonotic diseases with pandemic potential. By integrating human, animal, and environmental health sectors across the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Rwanda, and Uganda, this regional initiative strengthens pandemic preparedness and response through inter-country collaboration. It addresses critical areas such as surveillance integration, cross-border diagnostic capacities, and workforce development. By promoting regional cooperation and information sharing, the project ensures a cohesive and effective strategy to mitigate health threats that transcend borders.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Habimana Jean Claude

One Health Communications Specialist on Risk Communication and Community Engegement

IUCN Rwanda Country Office

[email protected]