This year’s Nile Day Regional celebrations have ended in Burundi, with the First Vice President of the Republic of Burundi, H.E. Dr. Yves Sahinguvu confirming the firm support of his government to conclude negotiations and sign the Cooperative Framework Agreement (CAF) as soon as possible. “We should give a legal support to our incipient cooperation – without much still waiting – to engage all together to take up the challenges which are drawn up in front of us, for the development of our people”, H.E. Sahinguvu added.

Speaking as Guest of Honor at the 3rd Regional Nile Day celebrations held in Rutovu on 21 February under the theme, United in Diversity by the River Nile – Our Heritage, source for Regional Cooperation, the First Vice President said environmental degradation is a global problem for which every nation needs to come forward together.
Earlier, the Executive Director of the Nile Basin Initiative (NBI) Ms. Henriette  Ndombe said that after ten years of negotiations, today’s ambition is to sign and ratify the CFA. She said it is a life-giving and life time decision for all NBI Member Countries to act independently of history, geopolitics, the limits of sovereignty and political boundaries. “Through deepening cooperation, the decision will serve all long-term national interests”, Ms. Ndombe added.
Referring to the major achievements over the last ten years, Ms. Ndombe noted that the establishment of NBI has laid a foundation for cooperation among countries in the region and this is by all means a great achievement. She said NBI is now focusing on bringing real benefits to the populations of the River Nile Basin.

Ms. Ndombe said the NBI is now implementing the Institutional Strengthening Project (ISP), which is preparing the organization for new challenges it will face with or without the CFA. The three year project funded to the tune of US$ 33.6m through the Nile Basin Trust Fund, GTZ financing and member countries’ contribution provides the opportunity to consolidate gains made by so far by the NBI and ensure sustainability.

Activities in Rutovu, which is the South most source of the River Nile included, planting of 5000 fruit trees by the guests, school children and members of the Rutovu community.
The two-day regional celebrations were inaugurated on 20 February 2009 with a press conference addressed by the Burundian Minister of Water, Environment, Land Management, Planning and Housing, Eng. Deogratias Nduwimana, Ms. Ndombe and Mr. Gordon Mumbo, the Regional Project Manager for NBI’s Confidence Building and Stakeholders’ Involvement Project.
Eng.  Nduwimana called on the media to sensitize the masses on the importance of the cooperation on the River Nile as well as protecting the River Nile. He expressed confidence that negotiations on the Cooperative Framework Agreement will soon be concluded and the document signed by the Nile Basin countries of Burundi, DR Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda.