During the 23rd Nile Equatorial Lakes Council of Ministers (NELCOM) Meeting held on 12th November 2020, Ministers responsible for Water Affairs in the Nile Basin and development partners affirmed their commitment to ideals of trans boundary cooperation and pledged to support NBI to deliver on its mandate to countries.
Republic of South Sudan: Hon. Peter Manawa Gatkuoth the Minister responsible for Water Affairs thanked the development partners for their support to NBI to enable it provide much needed development for the people of the basin. He stated that South Sudan is and will remain committed in promoting basin wide cooperation agenda and said this position is reflected in an agreement that South Sudan signed in 2018 which dedicates a complete article for collective sustainable management of the Nile River basin for the benefit of its people. Hon. Gatkuoth assured of his country’s commitment to fulfil its obligations and pay its membership arrears, adding that the process of ratification of the Comprehensive Framework Agreement (CFA) by South Sudan is already underway.
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Republic of Rwanda: Hon. Dr. Jeanne D’arc Mujawamariya, the Minister responsible for Water Affairs noted that the NBI platform is of high importance and has helped to advance cooperation and promote joint water related investment projects that are of great interest to the countries. She stated that Rwanda, as the host country of one of the three NBI centres (NELSAP-CU) will continue to provide the necessary support for the smooth running of the program. The Hon. Minister noted that although NBI had surpassed the 20 year mark, cooperation remained stronger than ever with investment worth over USD 6.5 billion, of which over 1.3 billion were under implementation through various programs and projects. Rwanda observed that whereas upstream and downstream water users may have different needs, perspectives and interests, such diversity was the best ground and reason for strong cooperation.
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Republic of the Sudan: The Minister responsible for Water Affairs Hon. Prof. Yasir Abbas Mohamed in his statement, delivered by Dr. Salih Hamad Hamid, stated that Sudan has been at the centre of the history of cooperation among the Nile Basin countries which paved the way, through political commitment and confidence building, to the successful initiation of the Nile Basin Cooperation with commendable support of development partners. The Hon. Minister reiterated the commitment of the transition government of Sudan to strengthen and promote cooperation among the Nile Basin countries for the welfare and aspirations of the people of the basin, saying that Sudan believes that inclusive Nile Basin Cooperation will result into an conducive environment that will pave the way to develop and use the basin resources in an optimal and sustainable manner for the benefit of not only Sudan. He added that Sudan believes that equitable sharing of benefits in good faith, patience, wisdom and responsibility on the part of everyone is a major principle and foundation of future cooperation in the Nile River basin.
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Republic of Uganda: The Minister responsible for Water Affairs Hon. Sam Cheptoris who was represented by Dr. Florence Grace Adongo, pledged Uganda’s unwavering support to NBI noting that the country attaches great importance to the cooperative management of trans boundary resources of the Nile Waters as provided in the Comprehensive Framework Agreement (CFA). He said Uganda is happy to participate in the ongoing trans boundary projects specifically with D.R Congo on management of Lakes Edward and Albert, with Kenya on the Angololo Multipurpose Project, with Burundi, Rwanda and Tanzania on the Kagera basin projects and with South Sudan on the Nyimur/Limur on river Aswa. He revealed that he has been informed of yet greater progress in the neighboring countries, specifically on the Rusumo project and added that such projects clearly show that NBI was steadily transiting from pre-investment phase to more concrete action on the ground so that the people on the basin can begin to enjoy the benefits of cooperation.
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Kenya: Hon. Sicily Kariuki the Minister responsible for Water Affairs stated that although Kenya was not able to conclude the agenda of convening the NBI Heads of State Summit during its term of leadership of the Secretariat, the country hopes that this agenda will be taken up by the incoming leadership. She appealed to NBI member states to prioritize projects with regional significance that have been prepared by NBI, put them into their country’s respective national planning to make better use of substantial technical resources that have been used in preparation of the projects so that Nile Basin citizens can enjoy tangible benefits from their implementation.
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World Bank: Speaking on Behalf of the Development Partners, Ms Catherine Tovey, program leader at the World Bank Group said, “By working together, sharing information, jointly prioritizing and planning, by forging strong professional relationships, by investing in joint infrastructure that benefits more than one actor; NBI countries had shown that a win-win future is possible.” She said development partners have noted that NBI processes have led to an impressive pipeline of investment projects and that NBI provides a key platform on which countries can achieve a secure future for all. She added the Development Partners were looking forward to new support to NBI with a focus on climate resilience in the basin.