Ethiopia is set to host the Regional Nile Day event on February 22, 2018 under the theme, The Nile – Shared River, Collective Action. This will be the third time for Ethiopia to host the regional event, the first one being in 2008 and 2013.

Nile Day is an annual event held to commemorate the establishment of the Nile Basin Initiative (NBI) in 1999. This is an important day on the NBI calendar, as it marked a major milestone in the history of Nile Cooperation since prior efforts such as the Hydromet of the 1960s and the TECCONILE of the 1970s, were beset with lack of inclusivity and absence of an institutional framework.

Among other things, Nile Day provides an opportunity for Basin citizens and friends to come together to celebrate the benefits of Nile cooperation, and exchange experiences, views and ideas on topical issues related to the cooperative management and development of the shared Nile Basin water and related resources. This is in addition to enhancing stakeholders’ appreciation of the importance of and commitment to Nile Cooperation while at the same time enhancing awareness of the results and visibility NBI.

On a lighter note, the Day provides an opportunity to celebrate the rich and varied cultures which exist within the Nile Basin.

The inaugural event was held in 2007 and it has since continued to attract various stakeholders including Ministers in charge of Water Affairs in the Nile Basin countries, Development Partners, officials from ministries in charge of Water Energy, Agriculture, Environment and Foreign Affairs respectively, and Members of Parliament. Others are researchers, academia, civil society, private sector, media, youth, children as well as the general public.

The Nile Day event brings stakeholders and Policy makers from the Nile Basin member states which are Burundi, DR Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, The Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda.