The inaugural meeting for the Nile Basin Initiative (NBI) National level coordination has ended today in Cairo, Egypt with a common understanding among participants of the roles and responsibilities of NBI Desk Officers, coordination mechanisms as well as a work plan for the fiscal year, 2010/2011.
The regional meeting held from 8th to 9th April was attended by members of the Nile Technical Advisory Committee (NILE-TAC), NBI Desk Officers, from each of the NBI Member States as well as staff of NBI.
The regional meeting held from 8th to 9th April was attended by members of the Nile Technical Advisory Committee (NILE-TAC), NBI Desk Officers, from each of the NBI Member States as well as staff of NBI.
Group photo of the desk officers, TAC members and NBI staff
In her opening remarks, the NBI Executive Director, Ms. Henriette Ndombe
underscored the importance of the meeting in enhancing NBI operations
at the national level. She said the main purpose of the meeting was to
induct the new Desk Officers on NBI activities and to discuss how to
progress with implementation of these activities at national level
particularly given the closure in December 2009 of the Shared Vision
Program.
Ms. Ndombe reiterated the need to finalize preparation of the bilateral MoUs between Nile-SEC and respective countries tofacilitate the operations of the NBI within the Member States. She noted that six out of the nine NBI Member States have so far signed the MoU and encouraged the rest to fast track the signing.
Earlier, in his welcome speech, Dr. Wael Khairy, on behalf of the NILE-TAC Chair, also reiterated the importance of NBI Desk Officers in supporting coordination, liaison and effective operation of NBI at national level.
The objectives of the two day meeting were three-fold: to provide an induction to the NBI Desk Officers who were largely new; to clarify the NBI strategy for coordination at national level and liaison with the Nile-SEC; and to harmonize the reporting and work planning.
Participants discussed a number of issues pertinent to the NBI. They included background information on NBI operations at National level, achievements, challenges and constraints; memoranda of understanding between NBI Member States and Nile-SEC. Also discussed were communication and social development; knowledge management and IT infrastructure; roles and responsibilities of NBI Desk Officers; finance and administration arrangements and last but not least, an introduction to the Results Based System.
Ms. Ndombe reiterated the need to finalize preparation of the bilateral MoUs between Nile-SEC and respective countries tofacilitate the operations of the NBI within the Member States. She noted that six out of the nine NBI Member States have so far signed the MoU and encouraged the rest to fast track the signing.
Earlier, in his welcome speech, Dr. Wael Khairy, on behalf of the NILE-TAC Chair, also reiterated the importance of NBI Desk Officers in supporting coordination, liaison and effective operation of NBI at national level.
The objectives of the two day meeting were three-fold: to provide an induction to the NBI Desk Officers who were largely new; to clarify the NBI strategy for coordination at national level and liaison with the Nile-SEC; and to harmonize the reporting and work planning.
Participants discussed a number of issues pertinent to the NBI. They included background information on NBI operations at National level, achievements, challenges and constraints; memoranda of understanding between NBI Member States and Nile-SEC. Also discussed were communication and social development; knowledge management and IT infrastructure; roles and responsibilities of NBI Desk Officers; finance and administration arrangements and last but not least, an introduction to the Results Based System.