From 26th to 28th October 2011, Rwanda will host a three day International Forum about Climate Change and its Implications for Sustainable Development and Cooperation in the Nile Basin Countries.
The forum will bring together Nile Basin member countries, development partners, International and National NGOs, Academic institutions, Researchers and University professors.
The Nile Basin Development Forum is a mechanism for fostering the emergence of a knowledge community within the Nile Basin, and a tool for enhancing the exchange of experiences and deepening of the understanding of Nile Basin issues and challenges.
It is held once every two years. The first forum was held in Addis Ababa in 2006 under the theme “The role of the River Nile in poverty Reduction and economic development”. It focused on efficient water resources management as a key prerequisite for economic development in the basin.
The second forum was held in Khartoum in 2008 under the theme “Environment and water resources management for peace and cooperation in the Nile Basin”, with NBDF member countries emphasizing the need for cooperation among the nine countries of the Basin.
As the continuation of the first and second Forums, the Third will deal with “Climate Change and its implications for sustainable Development and cooperation in the Nile Basin- Threats and opportunities to NB cooperation.
According to Kabalisa Vincent de Paul, The Deputy Director General in Charge of Integrated Water resources Development, the forum will provide a platform for open discussions and contribute to enhancement of common understanding regarding the likely multi- faceted implications of Climate Change on the entire Nile River systems and associated socio-Economic and Environmental life Support systems.
“ The Nile Basin, even before the phenomenon of global Climate Change, has been a region experiencing considerably variation in Climate, with catastrophic impacts on livelihoods and the National economies” Kabalisa Said.
He noted that the Basin is very sensitive to Climate Change due to the fact that the later has impacts on the Water and environmental resources of the Basin and socio-economic development of the region.
He added that the Forum will also be an opportunity to raise awareness of the benefits of cooperation in order to address challenges posed by Climate Change through joint coordinated actions.
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