The Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Rwanda, Hon. Dr. Emmanuel Ugirashebuja on Thursday represented His Excellency President Paul Kagame at the opening ceremony of the High-Level Conference on the Next Steps following the landmark United Nations Resolution A/RES/90/250 on the Transatlantic Slave Trade.

The conference, convened by His Excellency President John Dramani Mahama of the Republic of Ghana, took place in Accra and brought together Heads of State and Government, senior officials, and delegates from across Africa, the Caribbean, and beyond. The gathering was held barely three months after the historic adoption of the UN resolution and underscored the growing international momentum towards addressing the enduring legacy of the transatlantic slave trade.

Among the distinguished participants were the Presidents of Liberia, São Tomé and Príncipe, Senegal, and Namibia, as well as the Prime Minister of Barbados. Delegations from more than 50 countries also attended the conference, reflecting broad global support for continued dialogue and action on historical justice, remembrance, and international cooperation.

In his remarks, Minister Ugirashebuja emphasized the importance of acknowledging and confronting historical injustices as a foundation for building a more just future.

"This is a moment to acknowledge that every generation inherits certain responsibilities from history. Some responsibilities concern the future. Others require us to confront the past," he stated.

Highlighting the significance of the conference and the recently adopted UN resolution, he further noted that "History must be confronted, not ignored."

The Minister underscored Rwanda's commitment to truth, justice, reconciliation, and human dignity, values that continue to inform the country's engagement in international efforts aimed at addressing historical wrongs and promoting inclusive development.

The conference provided a platform for leaders and stakeholders to discuss practical measures for implementing the objectives of Resolution A/RES/90/250, including strengthening education and research, preserving historical memory, promoting dialogue among affected communities, and advancing initiatives that contribute to healing and sustainable partnerships between Africa, the Caribbean, and the wider international community.