The Nile Basin is facing a multitude of shared challenges which, like the Nile itself, span across national borders. These include increasing water variability, growing water demand and multiple impacts of climate change. In order to adequately respond to these challenges, countries must act together.
Water plays an integral part in achieving not only water security but also food and energy security, and in eradicating poverty for the people of the Nile Basin. The shared nature of the Nile’s water resources must be a key driver towards regional integration in countries’ efforts to achieving these goals.
Joint action and investments through joint institutions and dialogue platforms in the Nile Basin contribute to a culture of dialogue, trust and confidence and helps build strong partnerships within and outside the basin, thus must play a key role in maintaining peace and security in the Nile Basin.
In order to achieve sustainable development, Nile Basin States are working towards a basin management plan by 2022, which will ensure that the Nile waters can sustain its people, ecosystems and biodiversity. Joint management can and must occur at all levels, from grassroots to governments.
Through capacity building, policies, knowledge generation and exchange as well as development of scientific tools, NBI is supporting Member States and people of the Nile Basin to better manage their shared water resources. Countries must use the tools and knowledge to inform their decisions in water resources management and development.