ADDIS ABABA – Ten member countries are celebrating the 25th Nile Basin Initiative (NBI) anniversary today at Entebbe, Uganda with a view to reinvigorating socio-economic development and realizing regional security.
In a press release sent to The Ethiopian Herald, NBI said the celebration is a unique moment to look back on the achievements of trans-boundary cooperation between Member States to “Achieve sustainable socio-economic development through the equitable use and benefit of the common water resources of the Nile Basin.”
According to the Press release, a quarter of a century at the service of Trans -boundary cooperation between 10 Member States united around a river and a common destiny to alleviate poverty and build peace. Ethiopia, Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Egypt, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda are NBI members whilst Eritrea participates as an observer.
The release also noted that this year’s NBI celebration held under the theme: “Unlocking the benefits of the Nile” is equally evocative of the benefits of Nile cooperation, as it allows us to review the progress made so far. Indeed, since 1999, the Nile Basin Initiative has achieved satisfactory results in the fields of water, energy and food security while maintaining a sustainable ecosystem and efficient cross-border cooperation. One of the most significant achievements is undoubtedly the construction of the Rusumo Dam between Burundi, Rwanda and Tanzania, reinforcing the shared vision between the destinies of these states.
“The 25th anniversary launch ceremony, held at the Nile Secretariat in Entebbe was presided over by the Sam Cheptoris, Minister of Water and Environment of the Republic of Uganda and Nile-COM Chair. In his remarks, the Nile-COM chair emphasized the need to reflect upon the benefits from, and challenges of Nile cooperation journey, to pursue mutual cooperation and ensure peace and economic growth, despite the increasing population in the basin,” the release added.
The governing bodies of the Nile Basin (Nile-TAC, NELTAC, NILE-COM) deliberate on issues of Nile cooperation by holding formal meetings in the run-up to Nile Day, scheduled for February 22, 2024 in Bujumbura, Republic of Burundi, where the silver jubilee of the institution will be celebrated.
It was to be recalled that the Nile Basin Initiative is a regional inter-governmental partnership launched by the Nile Basin countries on February 22, 1999, to manage and develop the shared Nile Basin water and related resources in a cooperative manner, share substantial socio-economic benefits, and promote regional peace and security and address 300 million people living around the river.
BY MESERET BEHAILU
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD THURSDAY 22 FEBRUARY 2024
