Rwanda’s Prime Minister, Dr Justin Nsengiyumva, has urged countries that have signed the Montreal Protocol to accelerate the implementation of their commitments, stressing that agreements must translate into tangible results for climate protection and people’s well-being.
He made the call on Thursday, November 5, 2026, while officially opening the 38th Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol (MOP38), taking place in Kigali from November 2 to 6.
In his address, the Prime Minister recalled that Rwanda hosted a landmark meeting ten years ago, when countries adopted the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol. The amendment seeks to phase down the use of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), gases widely used in cooling equipment but which contribute to global warming.
He said the agreement reached in Kigali demonstrated that countries can work together to address global challenges while taking into account each country’s development needs and capabilities.
“Full implementation of the Kigali Amendment would make a significant contribution to protecting our climate and improving the well-being of people around the world, both today and for generations to come,” he said.
Nsengiyumva also recalled remarks made by President Paul Kagame when the amendment was adopted in 2016, saying they remain an important guide for countries implementing the agreement.
At the time, Kagame said: “We should not be satisfied with making small progress in solving a problem when we have the capacity to solve it completely.”
The Prime Minister said the message remains relevant, noting that success should not be measured by the agreements countries sign or the commitments they make, but by the actual changes those decisions bring to the planet and people’s lives.
He emphasised that cooling food, medicines and other essential facilities should not be viewed merely as a convenience for improving living standards. Instead, access to cooling is fundamental to health, human dignity, economic opportunities and resilience to climate change.
Using agriculture as an example, he said reliable cold-storage facilities can help farmers preserve their harvests and ensure that fruits and other produce reach markets without going to waste.
He added that effective cooling systems are equally important for storing vaccines and essential medicines, particularly to ensure they reach people living in remote areas.
However, Nsengiyumva acknowledged that millions of people, especially in Africa, still lack reliable access to cooling services because electricity remains limited or unreliable in many communities.
As demand for cooling continues to grow, he urged countries to expand access without putting the environment at risk, through energy-efficient and climate-friendly technologies.
Rwanda establishes centre to promote sustainable cooling
The Prime Minister said transforming the cooling sector requires more than replacing outdated equipment with modern alternatives. It also calls for investment in infrastructure, skills development and industries capable of providing sustainable solutions.
He pointed to Rwanda’s efforts through the Africa Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Cooling and Cold-chain (ACES), established in the country to support the development of sustainable cooling technologies across Africa.
The centre brings together research, training, technology development and practical implementation, with the aim of strengthening Africa’s capacity to benefit from environmentally friendly cooling solutions.
Nsengiyumva said initiatives of this kind help countries build the expertise and capacity needed to seize opportunities in the sustainable cooling sector.
Prime Minister calls for stronger international cooperation
The Prime Minister also highlighted the importance of international cooperation, saying no country can address the world’s challenges on its own.
He described South-South Cooperation and other forms of international partnership as essential to sharing knowledge, expertise, resources and experience.
Such cooperation, he said, should enable developing countries to participate meaningfully in decision-making and lead the transition towards sustainable cooling, rather than simply being expected to adopt technologies and systems developed elsewhere.
Nsengiyumva urged delegates attending MOP38 to go beyond the minimum requirements of the agreement and ensure that their commitments are implemented fully and on time.
He said the next ten years should be defined by concrete action and measurable results rather than declarations and promises.
“Let us go beyond what is required and strive to achieve what is possible,” he said.
The Prime Minister officially declared the 38th Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol open, wishing delegates productive discussions and decisions that would deliver meaningful results.
