Delegates of ISO TC 176 Joined Rwanda to Celebrate the World Standards Day 2023 with the launch of Harmonized African Standards for Fertilizers and Recognition of Students, Schools and Organizations implementing Standards

Kigali- Rwanda, 12^th October 2023

Hon. Prof. Jean Chrysostome Ngabitsinze officiated the celebration of World Standards Day 2023

On Thursday 12^th Otcober, 2023, delegates of ISO TC 176 joined Rwanda to Celebrate the World Standards Day 2023 in the ceremony that was officiated by Honourable Professor Ngabitsinze Jean Chrysostome Minister of Trade and Industry in the presence of other official from Government, international and national partners and industry.

Mr Raymond Murenzi, Director General/RSB

In his welcome remarks, Mr Raymond Murenzi Director General of RSB noted with appreciation the presence of the Guest of Honour, ISO /TC 176 delegates who were meeting in Rwanda for the whole week and invited guests. He commended the Govermnent of Rwanda’s support to the development and implementation of standards as they are key to bringing positive change in people’s lives worldwide.

He added that besides the celebration, RSB had organized a standardization campaign focusing on conducting awareness campaign on core activities delivered in standardization to support industrial development and trade promotion. The standardization campaign would focus on reviewing the role that standards have played in the previous 21 years in upscaling the level of industrial development through provision of standardization, conformity assessment and metrology services in Rwanda, mainly with a focus to their role in last six years where they were considered among quality pillars in the implementation of Made in Rwanda Policy that was established in 2017.

Mr. Jeffrey Hunt, ISO/TC 176 Chairperson

In his vote of thanks, Mr Jeffrey Hunt, Chairperson ISO/TC 176 appreciated Rwanda and ISO efforts in ensuring that the committee meeting in Rwanda was successful. He appreciated the invitation to join Rwanda and the local standardizing community and standards implementers to celebrate the World Standards Day 2023.

Participants

The celebration was also marked by important activities including the launch of Harmonized African Standards for Fertilizers and awarding of the Made in Rwanda logo to Rwanda Fertilizers Company locally manufactured fertilizer products, awarding students who participated in African Organization for Standardization (ARSO) Essay Competition standards, and students who competed and represented the country at the International Standards Olympiad in Korea. Of two teams who participate in the latter Olympiad, one team won a Bronze Prize.  Schools and organizations who support standardization activities were also recognized.

African Standards on Fertilizers were launched and handed over to MINAGRI representative at the event

Mr. Jose Alcorta, Head of Standards Development at ISO Headquarters, Geneva

ISO representative at the ceremony, José Alcorta, head of Standards Development appreciated Rwanda’s efforts in supporting the work of standards development, dissemination and their implementation to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) targets for the country. He noted that ISO would continue working with its members including Rwanda to advance standardization and increase participation in the development and raising awareness of international standards.

In the key note address of the event, Hon. Prof. Jean Chrysostome Ngabitsinze appreciated Rwanda Standards Board’s and partners’ efforts to ensure that the culture of standardization begins with the youth as they are future standardizers. He challenged more young people to join in standards development, establish Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and use standards to take their businesses at higher level. He reiterated the commitment by the Government of Rwanda to continue supporting standardization, conformity assessment and metrology services to position Made in Rwanda products at the global trade arena with a competitive edge. He further noted that the Government would continue working with ISO and other regional and international partners to promote industry and trade, protect environment and acquire technology in the continued strides of attaining sustainable development.

Schools’ efforts to promote standards were recognized

University and higher learning students who participated in ARSO competition were awarded

Secondary school students who participated in the International Standards Olympiad were awarded

About the World Standards Day 2023

World Standards Day is celebrated annually on October 14^th to recognize the joint efforts from members of different international standardization bodies (IUT, ISO, IEC and Codex Alimentarius Commission) to develop the international standards which play a critical role in addressing international communities’ challenges related to quality and safety. Each year, a specific theme is chosen to highlight the importance of standards in addressing global challenges. In this year of 2023, the theme at international level is "A Shared Vision for a Better World."

This theme inspires individuals, communities, organizations and nations to work together toward common goals for the betterment of our planet. It emphasizes global cooperation through harmonized standards which provide a foundation and framework for consistently manufacturing compliant products or services as per international best practices, aiming at enhancing the overall well-being of individuals and communities, promoting environmental safeguard and facilitating the exchange of products and services through the elimination of technical barriers to international trade. Once common goal is achieved, it will lead to a more sustainable, equitable and prosperous world.

Besides the international theme, nations choose national themes to inspire the citizens to be aware of the measures put in place and understand their role to address the existing national and global problems considering all aspects. In this context, the celebration of the World Standard Day 2023 in Rwanda was done around the theme: “Standards for sufficient and healthy food towards social economic development".

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