Tanzania will host the annual Regional Nile Day event on 22nd February, 2017.
Nile Day is a commemoration of the establishment of the Nile Basin Initiative (NBI) on 22nd February 1999, by Ministers in charge of Water Affairs in the Nile Basin countries.
The theme for the event is Our Shared Nile – Source of Energy, Food and Water for All. The links between water-food-energy nexus, livelihoods and economic development are quite visible in the Nile Basin countries.
NBI will take this opportunity to enhance awareness and understanding among participants and Nile Basin citizens about the inter-relatedness as well as the importance of sustainable basin-wide Nile cooperation in ensuring energy, food and water security in the region.
Sustainable cooperation
Given the tremendous opportunities presented by Nile cooperation, Nile Basin States should work towards sustainable basin-wide Nile Cooperation, which calls for, among other things, increased political commitment from Member States and mobilization of funds for implementation of regional investment projects to ensure benefits for all Nile Basin citizens.
Celebrated at both regional and national level since 2007, Nile Day provides an opportunity for Nile Basin citizens to come together to exchange on topical issues concerning how to best take care of and use the shared Nile Basin water and related resources for the benefit of current and future generations.
The day also serves as an opportunity to enhance awareness about the benefits of basin-wide Nile cooperation, the challenges as well as consequences of non-cooperation, while searching ways and means to further the cooperation.
Rich and varied cultures
This is in addition to exposing participants to the rich and varied cultures, which exist within the Nile Basin.
Activities will include public speeches, a brass band procession in the city center is expected to be a major attraction, theme focused Key Note speech, exhibition, tree planting, and cultural show.
The event is expected to attract various NBI stakeholders including Ministers in charge of Water Affairs in each Member State, government officials, Members of Parliament, Researchers and Academia. Others are civil society, media, women, youth, children and the general public.
The 2017 event will be a special one for it is in Dar es Salaam that the NBI was established 18 years ago
