The g7+

29 May 2026 – The Timor-Leste delegation concluded its study visit to Rwanda with meetings at the Office of the Ombudsman of Rwanda, University of Rwanda, and Rwanda National Police, focusing on governance, accountability, justice, and policing reform.

At the Office of the Ombudsman, discussions covered the institution’s mandate, anti-corruption framework, and efforts to promote integrity, accountability, and good governance through prevention, civic education, enforcement, and inter-agency coordination.

At the University of Rwanda, Dr. Alice Urusaro shared insights on Rwanda’s post-genocide recovery, highlighting the Gacaca courts’ role in justice, reconciliation, and national unity. She also emphasized gender inclusion and efforts to combat gender-based violence, while drawing parallels between Rwanda’s and Timor-Leste’s post-conflict reconstruction and governance experiences.

The delegation also visited Rwanda National Police Headquarters, where presentations outlined the force’s transformation into a modern and professional police service. Discussions focused on professionalism, community policing, technology integration, and international cooperation as key pillars supporting public trust, effective service delivery, and institutional reform.

On the fourth day of the ongoing peer-learning mission in Rwanda, the Timor-Leste delegation continued its engagements in Kigali through a series of meetings with the Private Sector Federation (PSF), Irembo, and the Rwanda Development Board (RDB). The discussions focused on private sector development, digital governance, investment promotion, and reforms in public service delivery.

The delegation first visited the Private Sector Federation (PSF) for presentations and discussions on Rwanda’s private sector development and business environment reforms. During the session, the delegation received an overview of the work of the PSF, including its vision, mission, coordination structure, programs, projects, and stakeholder engagement strategies aimed at strengthening the role of the private sector in national development. Discussions also highlighted the role of the PSF in promoting and representing the interests of the Rwandan business community through business advocacy, capacity-building programs, networking, business development initiatives, and support for SMEs and start-ups. The session further emphasized the importance of Public-Private Dialogue in improving the business climate and enhancing economic competitiveness.

The delegation then visited Irembo for presentations and demonstrations on Rwanda’s digital governance and e-government transformation initiatives. The session provided insights into Irembo as Rwanda’s one-stop digital platform for public services, including its implementation process, achievements, lessons learned, and contributions to improving the transparency, efficiency, reliability, and accessibility of government services. The delegation also learned about Irembo’s role in supporting Rwanda’s broader digital transformation agenda, including its integration with the Integrated Financial Management Information System (IFMIS).

The engagement session with the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) focused on Rwanda’s post-conflict transformation and its journey toward becoming a competitive and investment-friendly economy. Discussions highlighted Rwanda’s governance reforms, investment climate, ease-of-doing-business initiatives, streamlined licensing systems, trade and investment facilitation measures, and the institutional role of the RDB in driving economic growth and improving service delivery. The delegation also learned about the One Stop Centre, the Kigali Special Economic Zone, and Rwanda’s tourism sector in promoting private sector development, attracting investment, and advancing sustainable economic development.

On the third day, 27 May 2026, the Timor-Leste delegation visited the Campaign Against Genocide Museum in Kigali to gain a deeper understanding of Rwanda’s liberation history and the measures undertaken to stop the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

During the visit, the delegation received detailed presentations on the history and establishment of the Museum, including comprehensive information on the “Campaign Against Genocide” carried out by the Rwanda Patriotic Army (RPA) to rescue civilians during that period. The delegation also gained insights into the role played by Rwandans and members of the international community during the Genocide against the Tutsi, as well as the significant challenges encountered at the time.

After visiting the Museum, the delegation held a reflection meeting to share impressions, lessons learned, and plans following the completion of the mission. Most delegates expressed appreciation for the opportunity to visit Rwanda and learn from the country’s experience of recovery, transformation, and reconciliation. They also expressed upon return, the team would continue to promote and advocate for lessons relevant to Timor-Leste’s context.

On the second day of the peer-learning visit to Rwanda, on 26 May 2026, the Timor-Leste delegation continued its engagements with officials from the Ministry of Local Government of Rwanda (MINALOC), the Ministry of National Unity and Civic Engagement (MINUBUMWE), and the City of Kigali.

During the session with MINALOC, the delegation received presentations on Rwanda’s governance transformation following the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, including the country’s decentralization framework, governance structure, and reforms introduced to strengthen public service delivery and citizen participation. Officials also presented Rwanda’s performance-based governance system, known as Imihigo, which promotes accountability, transparency, and results-oriented leadership across government institutions.
In a separate engagement with officials from MINUBUMWE, the delegation learned about Rwanda’s ongoing efforts to promote national unity, reconciliation, and civic engagement through a number of initiatives, including Ndi Umunyarwanda (“I am Rwandan”), a civic program that promotes a unified Rwandan identity, and Itorero, a civic education program that introduces values such as patriotism and unity. These initiatives provided important lessons in peacebuilding, resilience, and institution-building within post-conflict societies.

The 2nd day concluded with the delegation visited the City of Kigali and attended presentations on urban administration, e-governance systems, and social protection programs supporting vulnerable communities. In addition, the delegation visited the Mpazi Participatory Neighbourhood Design Project in Nyarugenge District to observe Kigali’s inclusive urban upgrading initiatives, including improved housing, public infrastructure, green spaces, and support for families relocated from high-risk areas to safer living conditions.

On 23 May 2026, a delegation from the g7+ European Hub attended the Taça Comemorativa de Futsal – Comemorações do Dia 20 de Maio 2026, held in the city of Braga and organised by Timorese students of the Universidade do Minho.

The initiative, organised in commemoration of the restoration of the independence of Timor-Leste, brought together members of the Timorese community, students, and institutional representatives in a spirit of unity, cultural celebration, and community engagement.

The participation of the g7+ European Hub reflects the organisation’s continued commitment to supporting initiatives that foster community engagement, youth participation, and people-to-people connections among member states and their diasporas.

The event also served as a meaningful example of how sport can contribute to strengthening social cohesion and reinforcing ties between communities, values which remain closely aligned with the broader spirit of cooperation and solidarity promoted by the g7+.

On 25 May 2026, the g7+ Secretariat, in collaboration with the Ministry of Interior of Timor-Leste and the Rwanda Cooperative Initiative, facilitated a peer learning visit to Rwanda for a Timor-Leste delegation to learn from Rwanda’s journey of recovery, reconciliation, and national development transformation following the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

In his remarks, the Secretary-General of g7+, Dr. Helder da Costa, expressed appreciation to the Rwanda Cooperative Initiative for hosting the Timor-Leste delegation. He noted that the visit provides a valuable opportunity for the exchange of experiences between Rwanda and Timor-Leste.

During the visit, the delegation will have the opportunity to learn more about Rwanda’s transformation through visits to the Kigali Genocide Memorial and the Campaign Against Genocide Museum, as well as engagements with Members of Parliament from the Parliamentary Committee on National Unity, officials from the Ministry of Local Government, Ministry of National Unity and Civic Engagement, the Office of the Ombudsman, the Rwanda National Police, academic institutions, Irembo, and the Rwanda Development Board.

The Timor-Leste delegation is led by the Chairperson of the Ombudsman for Human Rights and Justice and comprises representatives from veterans’ associations, youth resistance groups, civil society, academia, martial groups, and officials from the Ministry of Interior of Timor-Leste.