ENTEBBE, Uganda – The 24th Annual meeting of the Nile Council of Ministers (Nile-COM) has ended today 14th July, 2016 in Entebbe, Uganda. The Nile Council of Ministers addressed strategic issues to advance the Nile cooperation as well as operational business of NBI.
Among other things, the Ministers discussed the financial sustainability of the Nile Basin Initiative (NBI) and agreed that country contributions will be made in a timely manner to support the operations of NBI. Countries with outstanding arrears committed to clearing them within the shortest time possible.
The Nile-COM also deliberated on the issue of non-participation of Egypt in NBI activities since 2010, following the signing of the Cooperative Framework Agreement by some NBI Member States. “In this regard, very fruitful discussions were held regarding Egypt’s resumption of its participation in NBI activities. It was agreed that further discussions will be held to concretize on the discussions”, said Hon. Sam Cheptoris, the chairman of the Nile Council of Ministers and Uganda’s Minister of Water and Environment.
The work plan of the NBI Secretariat for the financial year 2016/17 was approved with a budget of $4 million (Four Million United States Dollars).
The Nile Council of Ministers appointed Dr. Canisius Kanangire from Rwanda as the 8th Executive Director at the NBI Secretariat for a two-year term. He replaces Dr. John Rao Nyaoro from Kenya, whose tenure ends on 31st August, 2016.
Also announced was the host country for the 5th biennial Nile Basin Development Forum and the 2017 Regional Nile Day. The events will be held next year in Rwanda and Tanzania, respectively.