Indicator 15.9.1 (a) Number of countries that have established national targets in accordance with or similar to Aichi Biodiversity Target 2 of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011–2020 in their national biodiversity strategy and action plans and the progress reported towards these targets; and (b) integration of biodiversity into national accounting and reporting systems, defined as implementation of the System of Environmental-Economic Accounting

Non_statistical indicator

Rwanda has demonstrated notable progress toward achieving the objectives outlined in Aichi Biodiversity Target 2 of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020, which focuses on integrating biodiversity values into national and local development strategies, policies, and reporting systems.

The country has embedded biodiversity conservation within its national policy frameworks, notably through its Vision 2050 and the National Strategy for Transformation (NST1&2). These frameworks align with the principles of sustainable development, emphasizing the integration of biodiversity into sectors such as agriculture, forestry, and infrastructure development. The inclusion of biodiversity considerations in Rwanda’s National Environment and Climate Change Policy is particularly significant. This policy underscores the importance of maintaining ecosystem services for economic resilience and social well-being.

Rwanda has also developed the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP), which directly responds to the Aichi Targets. The NBSAP incorporates strategic actions aimed at valuing and conserving biodiversity while promoting sustainable use and equitable benefit-sharing. It has encouraged cross-sectoral collaboration, with initiatives such as ecosystem valuation studies and the integration of biodiversity indicators into national accounting systems.

Furthermore, Rwanda’s Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) guidelines mandate biodiversity considerations in project planning and implementation. Through these mechanisms, biodiversity values are increasingly recognized and factored into decision-making processes.