President Paul Kagame has said that COVID-19 pandemic has stressed the need for cooperation between small and big countries to deal with common challenges because shocks affect them together.

The head of state made the remarks during a joint press conference with the Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Amor Mottley on his visit to Rwanda on Thursday 10th November 2022.

Mottley comes to Rwanda following the visit of President Kagame in April this year.

Premier Mottley said that her country’s relations with Rwanda are at a high speed noting that both leaders want to keep the pace.

Mottley explained that small countries like Rwanda and Barbados have the uniqueness of hearing citizens’ concerns and bring humanizing impact in different perspectives of development.

“That is why in many instances, the perspectives that we take whether in climate change, financial reform, and whatever aspect with the international relations, it is about propelling our people to the next stage of development. Regrettably as I said, we face the consequences of colonialism in the same way, face the aspects of the climate change in the same way, chronicle and communicable diseases […] but because we have humanistic approach, we deal with them,” she said.

President Kagame said that the smallness of Rwanda and Barbados mostly refers to geographical coverage and the number of populations compared to other big countries.

With 287,708 people, Barbados covers the land area of 430 and is smaller than the City of Kigali.

Meanwhile, Rwanda covers the land area of 26,338 square kilometers and is populated by approximately 13 million people.

Kagame said that the smallness does not matter because Rwanda and Barbados have far-sighted people.

“In any case, we are part of the global ecosystem. One thing we sure have is that we have the brain and think big. We are not impaired by geography and we think together with others. So, we seek to make the impact using the thoughts that we bring on the table. We are able to speak, we can raise issues as they need to be raised, and may be understood as they should be. On that one, there is no smallness here,” he noted.

The head of state underscored that acting together brings a great impact regardless of the sizes.

Kagame said that the COVID-19 pandemic has shown people that they are equal because it affected all countries together.

“What is also interesting and reminded by the pandemic, we are reminded at one point or another that we are equal. When COVID-19 pandemic struck, there was no issue about big or small countries in any sense. Everyone was affected equally and therefore, it would only make sense to act together to deal with common challenges. When it comes to climate change, it affects everybody, every country irrespective of its size or populations," he stated.

During the visit, both countries signed two agreements in the areas of sports and bilateral air services.

Kagame also disclosed that Rwanda and Barbados are set to work together in pharmaceutical manufacturing where they will share knowledge through collaboration with partners.

AE News