Ministry of Water, Irrigation and Energy stated that the Nile Basin Initiative (NBI) Forum is useful in building common understanding on the status of the water and natural resources base of the Nile Basin.
Speaking at the 6th Nile Basin Initiative (NBI) high-level regional forum hosted by Ethiopia for the second time, and organized under the theme :“Rethinking Regional Investments in the Nile Basin,” Minister Eng. Sileshi Bekele (Ph.D) yesterday said that the forum creates an opportunity to build partnership, examine shared complex challenges and exchange perspectives towards solutions against the challenges witnessed.
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As to him, the forum is a science-policy dialogue that provides an opportunity for sharing latest information, knowledge and best practices as well as building partnership among professionals regarding trans-boundary water resources management and development.
“The Nile Basin is richly endowed with wetlands and other aquatic ecosystem, forests, grasslands, wildlife, arable land and other natural resources. However, destruction of the environment, ecosystems and watersheds, and pollution of surface and ground waters is happening at an alarming rate,” he stated.
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He said, therefore, members of the initiative are expected to join forces to improve the management of trans-boundary Rivers and other water bodies. NBI Executive Director Prof. Seifeldin Hamad on his part said that NBI promotes sustainable management and development of water and other energy sources in the region. The forum attracted the water sector practitioners and other stakeholders from ten member states in the region.
BY TEWODROS KASSA The Ethiopian Herald May 8/2021