Ambassadors and Councillors, like all GHI members, do not represent their employers.
Membership is individual and contributions to GHI are based on the scientific conscience of the members.

Ambassador’s

Mr. Edouard Bugingo
More information coming soon!
Rwanda

Mr. Fiston Alex Twagirimana
Rwanda
Mr. Uwimana Rubura Modeste
Acting Director, Food, Agriculture, Chemistry & Services Standards
Rwanda Standards Board (RSB)
Rwanda

Ambassador’s Report

As a GHI Ambassador in a developing country like Rwanda, we are committed to upholding and promoting the mission of the Global Harmonization Initiative (GHI). With Rwanda’s strong political commitment to addressing food security through multidimensional research, we have no doubt that, with GHI’s support, we will be able to contribute meaningfully to enhancing food safety.

One of our key initiatives is to establish GHI Food Safety Clubs in secondary schools—particularly those offering food processing education—as well as in both public and private universities with faculties in food science and technology. In parallel, we intend to explore the possibility of developing Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with NGOs and companies working in the field of food safety. Please note that the Rwanda Food and Drugs Authority (RFDA) and the Rwanda Standards Board (RSB) are the primary institutions responsible for regulating food industries and developing food standards in Rwanda.

Since 2009, the University of Rwanda has been producing graduates in food science. As a GHI Ambassador, it will be my honor to encourage both students and alumni to become GHI members by submitting membership applications. We also plan to translate key GHI materials into our national language, Kinyarwanda, to make the information more accessible. This will be complemented by my participation in various scientific programs and, where possible, inviting scientific reviewers to present GHI’s work.
Under the umbrella of GHI, we are confident that we can provide valuable support to improve food safety and meet evolving food system challenges.

Uwimana Rubura Modeste
As the GHI Ambassador for Rwanda, I will actively promote the goals and mission of the Global Harmonization Initiative by engaging with food safety authorities, universities, research institutions, industries, SMEs, and professional networks to advance science-based food safety and nutrition regulations and internationally harmonized standards. As a Food Scientist and expert in standards development and conformity assessment, I will disseminate information on GHI activities, publications, and consensus documents through professional forums, technical meetings, training programmes, conferences, and capacity-building initiatives. I will also encourage scientists,regulators, academics, and industry experts from Rwanda and across Africa to participate in GHI activities and contribute to global scientific consensus-building efforts. Through my engagement with national, regional, and international standardization and food safety platforms, including Codex Alimentarius, the East African Community (EAC), the African Organization for Standardization (ARSO), and other relevant initiatives, I will promote the importance of globally harmonized, science-based food safety systems in protecting public health, facilitating trade, strengthening consumer confidence, and supporting sustainable food systems. I will further promote a culture of global harmonization, food safety, and standards among universities, training institutions, and SMEs, helping to build future generations of professionals and enterprises that recognize standards and regulations not merely as compliance tools, but as strategic instruments for innovation, competitiveness, consumer protection, and sustainable development. Through my publication, Beyond Compliance, and other knowledge-sharing platforms, I will continue raising awareness of food safety, standards harmonization, SPS systems, conformity assessment, and quality infrastructure, thereby supporting Rwanda, the East African Community, and Africa in advancing safe,
resilient, and globally competitive food systems. Global harmonization of food safety and nutrition regulations is particularly important for Rwanda and Africa as it strengthens public health protection, facilitates regional and international trade, enhances consumer confidence, supports innovation and competitiveness, and contributes to the development of safe, resilient, and sustainable food systems.

Planned activities are the following:
1. Promote GHI information through professional and scientific networks in Rwanda, East Africa and
African Continent;
2. Share GHI publications and consensus documents with food safety authorities, universities, and
industries as well as Technical Committee members at national, regional and continent level;
3. Participate in conferences, workshops, and technical meetings related to food safety and standards
harmonization;
4. Encourage scientists, regulators, and academic institutions to join GHI;
5. Support awareness activities on Codex Alimentarius, ISO standards, HACCP, and food safety systems;
6. Contribute articles or technical content related to food safety harmonization and sustainable food
systems;
7. Facilitate collaboration with national, regional and continental institutions involved in food safety and
standards development.

Publications
Beyond Compliance, a Bulletin on Standards, Food Safety, SPS and Trade Competitiveness
Founder and Editor of Beyond Compliance, professional bulletin promoting awareness of standards, food
safety, SPS systems, sustainability, and regional trade competitiveness. The publication serves as a strategic
platform for advancing global harmonization culture among universities, SMEs, regulators, and industries
towards consumer protection, public health, and sustainable development.
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/beyond-compliance-turning-standards-competitive-modeste-h2sbf/