Economists from the Nile Riparian Countries and beyond convened in Entebbe city of Uganda under the auspices of Nile Basin Initiative (NBI) to deliberate on how to multiply benefits of the Nile in the Nile Basin by applying efficient water resources management.
The Conference was also aimed at exchanging experience of water economy and management among each country.
The Forum, which was themed: “Integrating economic perspectives for more efficient water resources management in a shared river basin,” has provided tools and ideas for NBI member countries to consider in their respective national planning.
Speaking at the opening ceremony Jackson Twinomujuni, Commissioner for International and Transboundary Water Affairs in Uganda’s Ministry of Water and Environment said that the forum compels the Nile basin countries to make strategies to sustainably manage their shared Nile in the way it could be bequeathed to generations to come.
NBI Secretariat Executive Director, Eng. Innocent Ntabana also said that economic considerations play a vital role in water resources management.
“Incorporating the economic key dimensions is essential for optimizing water uses, making better use of the available water and the related resources, and devising a robust water management,” he added.
Experts convened highlighted the importance of strengthening on-going developments in the water sector with plans concerning the energy and agricultural sectors, as both relyon the use of water.
The forum, which was attended by eminent economists and NBI governance members, was organized by the NBI Secretariat with support from GIZ and in collaboration with Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI) and the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).