The Greater Virunga Transboundary Collaboration (GVTC) is an Intergovernmental Organization established by the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Republic of Rwanda and the Republic of Uganda governed by a Treaty signed in 2015, whose purpose is to establish a Transboundary Collaboration Framework for programs and activities on wildlife conservation and tourism development in the Greater Virunga Landscape (GVL) among the Partner States. GVTC has a status as an international organisation with the headquarters in Kigali, as the Headquarters agreement was signed between the Government of Republic of Rwanda and GVTC in 2013.

This Landscape comprises a total of 7 national parks and 1 wildlife reserve, namely: Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda; Virunga National Park & Sarambwe Wildlife Reserve in DRC and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Bwindi National Park, Rwenzori Mountain National Park, and Semliki National Park in Uganda.

The GVL is globally recognized as a biodiversity hotspot and habitat for rare and endangered wildlife species, such as mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, African Elephants, Lions, hippopotamus, … with three World Heritage Sites (the Virunga NATIONAL PARK, Rwenzori Mountains, and Bwindi National Park), two Man & Biosphere Reserves (MAB, namely the Queen Elizabeth National Park and Volcanoes National Park), as well as RAMSAR sites (Lakes Georges and Edward).

The Greater Virunga Landscape map

GVTC has the vision of having the Greater Virunga Landscape Protected Areas network together with the surrounding landscape conserved sustainably while the goal is the sustainable long-term conservation of the Greater Virunga landscape Biodiversity leading to the strategic transboundary collaborative management that improves conservation of the Greater Virunga Landscape natural resources as a long-term outcome.

To achieve all of this, GVTC undertakes various activities and initiates partnerships with a wide range of partners including Partner State institutions, learning institutions, conservations institutions, international organizations, donor communities and community-based organizations as well as the private sector.

On the right: Hon. Governor of Western Province: Hon. Dushimimana Lambert,   Acting Mayor of Rubavu District and the Mayor of Nyabihu District while on the left we have Mr. Fidele Ruzigandekwe,  GVTC Deputy Executive Secretary for Programs  and the GVTC Deputy Executive Secretary for Finance and Administration.

It is against this background that on 27^th October 2023, Hon. Dushimimana Lambert, Governor of Western Province of the Republic of Rwanda, in the presence of the Rubavu and Nyabihu Districts mayors, has received in his office in Karongi, the delegation of GVTC. The GVTC delegation headed by Mr. Fidele Ruzigandekwe, Deputy Executive Secretary for Programs discussed matters of great importance with regard to the promotion of wildlife conservation and tourism Development with the Greater Virunga Landscape. Mrs. Kabeya Fatuma Marie Rose, Deputy Executive Secretary for Finance and Administration and Mr. Juvenal Mukeshimana, Program Assistant were part of the GVTC delegation.

GVTC officials briefed the Hon.  Governor of the Western province about the plan to organize a country-level stakeholders engagement meeting through which wildlife conservation and tourism development matters could be discussed and in case there would be matters of transboundary nature, these issues will be brought to the attention of GVTC for regional discussion in accordance with its mandate.

On the other hand, the districts have expressed their wish to see GVTC involved in many community development initiatives leading to the socio-economic welfare of the population living around the protected area to avoid that, the latter end up becoming the threat causing pressure on the Volcanoes National Park.

GVTC is in the process of developing its ten-year Transboundary Strategic Plan 2024-2034, it was agreed that this is a high time for the districts to highlight their ideas addressing community needs which can be incorporated into this plan. GVTC will invite the districts to the consultative workshop scheduled to take place in Rubavu on 20^th to 23^rd November 2023.

The Western province officials expressed their full support for the GVTC initiatives and remain open for further engagements

Hon.  Governor of Western Province, Dushimimana Lamber is the third from the right, while Mr. Fidele Ruzigandekwe, is the second from the right. Karongi 27 October 2023