This archive report was first published on 7 May 2021.
As the Nile Basin Development Forum concluded in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in 2021, ministers from the region expressed concern over the widening gap between water availability and demand, which could lead to increasing water conflict.
Speaking at the forum, the ministers emphasized the need for Nile Basin countries to adopt a nexus approach, ensuring coordinated planning and implementation of investments in the water supply, food, and energy sectors.
“The challenge also requires Nile riparian countries to increase coordination in the planning of future water use, and cooperatively take action to implement measures to help bridge the gap between water availability and water demand in the Basin,” they said.
Ministers from the Nile Basin countries also called on Egypt to rejoin the cooperation efforts on the Nile, citing the importance of having Heads of States and Governments engaged in championing regional investments that benefit all riparian communities.
The Nile Basin Development Forum is a high-level regional event that brings together ministers, government officials, and experts to discuss the development challenges and opportunities of the Nile Basin.
The event, which was held virtually this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, featured 30 webinars that discussed a wide range of topics on the Nile under the theme of “Re-thinking regional investments in the Nile Basin”.
