While linking the hosting of the ISO Annual Meeting 2025 with the Government of the Republic of  Rwanda, the ARSO Fraternity, take cognisance, as was observed and endorsed during the 31st ARSO General Assembly events in June 2025 in Zanzibar, Tanzania,  that it is Africa as a region hosting the International Community of Standardisation Experts and the Trade/Policy Makers from all over the world,  as an indicator of  a Pan-African Spirit driven by the Continental Integration/Industrialisation targets and ambitions as set by the Agenda 2063 and the AfCFTA with increased focus on promoting a Coherent Regulatory Framework (One Standard – One Market)

For ARSO, the Strategic Importance of the ISO Annual Meeting 2025 is in the signing (https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7382066825603383296) of the ARSO-ISO Enhanced Cooperation Agreement, dabbed the Kigali Agreement on 9th October 2025 and which focuses on establishing a structured framework for cooperation between ISO and ARSO and will not only Strengthen regional engagement in international standardisation in support of the AfCFTA but Promote the harmonised adoption and use of ISO international standards and other ISO deliverables and publications across the African region while enabling the inclusive participation of African stakeholders in ISO standardisation. The ARSO Secretary General, Dr. Hermogene Nsnegimana noted that “AfCFTA’s vision of a seamless and unified continental market depends on the harmonization of standards and this Agreement gives ARSO and its members the tools and framework to accelerate that process – by reducing duplication, aligning national and regional priorities, and promoting the adoption of globally recognized benchmarks in the context of “One Standard-One Market” and aligned to the the WTO international Regulatory Policy of “Once Tested –  Once Certified – Accepted everywhere”.