Armen MATABISHI RUGEREZA

Holder of a Master’s Degree in International Humanitarian Law from Harvard Law School, MATABISHI RUGEREZA Armen is a committed philanthropist, human rights advocate, and global development actor. He has substantial expertise in leading and managing humanitarian, development, and resilience programs. His professional journey is defined by a relentless commitment to social justice, gender equality, human rights, and sustainable development.

He served as an Expert Member of the Young Experts Group on Sustainable Agrifood Systems under the BRICS Youth Energy Agency, where he significantly contributed to the development of the BRICS Youth Energy Outlook 2024.

Currently, he is the General Director of ADIFEVEA World, an organization working in women’s empowerment, environmental protection, and strengthening community resilience. His leadership is marked by innovation, inclusivity, and a results-driven approach to addressing global challenges.

In parallel, Armen holds several national and international responsibilities, including:

• President of the Europe-Africa Youth Fund : European Union
• Country Coordinator of the Green Climate Initiative
• Mentor at Bridge for Billions
• Mentor at the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women
• Country Ambassador for Afri-Carrières
• Country Coordinator of the Network of Young African Leaders for Positive Masculinity
• Programs Director at Marie-Claire N. Kuja Foundation

Alongside his academic credentials, Mr. RUGEREZA Armen has earned numerous professional certifications and advanced training diplomas from globally recognized institutions and organizations, including:

• Senghor University
• Humanitarian Academy at Harvard
• United Nations Institute for Training and Research
• Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie
• Institut de la Francophonie pour le Développement Durable
• Lucy Cavendish College
• University of Cambridge
• African Institute for Economic Development and Planning
• Humanitarian Leadership Academy
• ROHI SUPPORT PROGRAM
• YALI LEADERSHIP CENTER – DAKAR
• UN Women
• UN Environment
• Save the Children
• USAID
• HIRED Consult
• UNHCR
• BRICS Youth Energy Agency
• Cooperazione Internazionale

Armen is actively engaged in several high-level networks and initiatives and regularly participates in international conferences related to climate, sustainable development, youth, human rights, and social innovation, including:

• Children and Youth Major Group to UNEP
• Youth4Climate
• United People Global
• Amnesty International
• Global Call
• Youth Movement for Water
• BRICS YEA Expert Group
• Philosophy for Sustainable Development Network
• Chemical and Waste Youth Platform
• Migration Youth and Children Platform
• Ocean Science and Governance Youth Network
• G7/G20 C7 Climate, Energy Transition and Environmental Justice Working Group
• Democratizing Education for Global Sustainability and Justice” Program

Key Participations and Recognitions:

• YALI - (2022)
• Youth Connekt Africa Summit , Accra, Ghana (20–22 October 2021)
• Future Leaders Model United Nations, Turkey (04–07 March 2022)
• 2nd Global Framework on Water Scarcity in Agriculture (WASAG), Praia, Cape Verde (07–10 February 2022)
• Delegate, UN World Youth Water Conference, New York, USA (2023)
• Delegate, World Youth Water Conference, South Africa (2023)
• Asia-Pacific Youth Environment Forum, Colombo, Sri Lanka (01–02 October 2023)
• FAO WFF World Youth Forum, Science and Innovation Forum, and Hand-in-Hand Investment Forum, New York (16–20 October 2023)
• Humanitarian Xchange, London (20–24 February 2024)
• Youth Assembly for Europe, North America and Central Asia, Geneva, Switzerland (07–08 March 2024)
• Regional Forum on Sustainable Development, Geneva, Switzerland (12–14 March 2024)
• IYC Climate Summit 2024, Wolverhampton, UK (23–24 June 2024)
• Delegate, World Bank Group Youth Summit, USA (30–31 May 2024)
• Summit for the Future Action Days, New York, USA (20–21 September 2024)
• Youth Power Summit, New York, USA (22–24 September 2024)
• UN High-level Meeting on Sea-level Rise, New York, USA (25 September 2024)
• BRICS Youth Energy Summit, Moscow, Russia (26–29 September 2024)
• Mekong Environmental Resilience Week, Bakong (07–10 October 2024)
• Climate Action Innovation Zone – COP29, Baku, Azerbaijan (13–15 October 2024)
• International Women Forum, Amsterdam (17–18 March 2025)
• 32nd China (Guzhen) International Lighting Fair, China (15–18 March 2025)
• VI Global Conference on the Paris Agreement and 2030 Agenda, Copenhagen, Denmark (27–28 May 2025)
• International Conference on Social Science and Economics, Bangkok, Thailand (20–29 April 2025)
• 2nd GovTech 4 Impact (G4I) World Congress, Madrid, Spain (12–14 May 2025)
• 5th Global Conference on Sustainable Food Systems Program, Brazil (27–29 May 2025)

Fluent in French, English, and Spanish, Mr. Armen is distinguished by a strategic vision and multilingual competence that enhance his ability to bridge communities across borders, amplify the voices of the most vulnerable in decision-making arenas, and influence public policy toward sustainable, inclusive, and human rights , based development , particularly in favor of women and youth.