This commitment was outlined in an official letter from Prime Minister Dr. Edouard Ngirente to UN Secretary-General António Guterres.
The letter, dated May 15, 2025, comes at a time when the UN is actively exploring ways to reduce operational costs, improve efficiency, and shift certain functions away from high-cost centers like New York and Geneva.
Prime Minister Ngirente outlined Rwanda's unique advantages as a potential host, citing Kigali's strategic air connectivity to regional and international destinations, as well as the country's consistent political stability, institutional effectiveness, and overall safety.
'Rwanda has positioned itself as a competitive destination for multilateral institutions, offering a cost-effective, secure, reliable, and enabling environment for their operations,' the letter states.
The Government of Rwanda also pledged to provide office facilities and essential services while committing to the long-term development of a dedicated UN campus in the heart of Kigali.
In alignment with UN protocols, Rwanda is offering a full package of privileges, immunities, and tax exemptions for UN personnel.
In closing, the Prime Minister invited the UN to dispatch a technical mission to Kigali for a firsthand review of Rwanda's infrastructure and services, in order to further discuss and align the proposal with the UN's operational and relocation needs.
'Rwanda stands ready to serve as a committed partner in shaping the future of the UN's global operations,' Ngirente affirmed.
This proposal aligns with broader conversations within the UN about decentralizing certain functions to more affordable and strategically located cities, particularly in response to ongoing financial constraints affecting several UN agencies.
IGIHE
Source : https://en.igihe.com/news/article/rwanda-offers-to-host-key-un-agencies-amid-relocation-plans
