Memorandum of Understandings on defence cooperation were signed with the Republic of Jordan and China while other two with Kenya and Ethiopia were reviewed and signed. 169. A joint military cooperation between Rwanda and Belgium was also signed. Several meetings and conferences were held between Rwanda Defence Forces and Defence Forces of regional States and of other countries. The Minister of Defence attended several regional bilateral and multilateral meetings aimed at boosting ties in Defence Cooperation, including a meeting on East African Community council of ministers of defence held in Tanzania, two meetings on East Africa Standby Brigade Coordination Mechanism held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and another one held in Kenya. The Minister also went to China and to the Democratic Republic of Congo. 170. The Minister of Defence hosted various dignitaries from different countries on defence and Security. They included the Minister of Defence of the Federal Republic of Ethiopia, Siraj Fejesa; Commander of US-Africa command general, Carter F. Ham; former US Africom Commander, General William E. Ward; UN special envoy in Sudan and South Sudan, Hon Haile Menkerios; the High Commissioner of Pakistan to Rwanda, Masroor A. Junejo, High Commissioner of Serbia, Zdravko Bisic to mention but a few. 171. On January 19, 2011 the Chief of the Defence Staff of Rwanda hosted security experts from the Economic Region of the Great Lakes (CEPGL) and held a meeting on strengthening ties in security affairs. This meeting was followed by that of the Ministers of Defence of CEPGL. They tackled the matters of security across borders and concluded the meeting by signing a Joint Military Cooperation. Article 24-Peoples’ right to satisfactory environment 172. Environment protection is one of the country’s vision 2020 pillars. Efforts spent in this sector nationwide have led the President of the Republic being awarded the 2010 Global Environment Protection Award. Rwanda has a legal framework that protects environment. It includes various laws and ministerial Orders fully implemented to protect environment. They include the Law N° 43/2013 of 16/06/2013 Law governing land in Rwanda O.G no Special of 16/06/2013, Law N°53/2010 of 25/01/2011 establishing Rwanda Page 60 of 105