ENTEBBE, Uganda – Nile Day marks the date on 22 February, 1999 when the Nile Basin Initiative (NBI) was established by Ministers in charge of Water Affairs in the Nile Basin countries. Celebrations to mark the day are held annually by the Nile Basin Initiative.

The City of Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo will host this year’s Regional Nile Day celebrations under the theme: ‘All Together for Better Cooperation’. A number of activities including cleaning of the Central market, a basketball match and a conference on the theme have been organized in collaboration with the Provincial Government of North Kivu.  The choice of Goma was motivated by its important water catchment area as part of the Nile Basin system. 

The importance of Nile cooperation cannot be over emphasized. More than 160 million people live within the basin and expect benefits from the management and utilization of its shared water resources. Better management could bring a vast range of benefits including increased hydropower and food production, better access to water for domestic use, improved management of water sheds and reduced environmental degradation, reduced pollution and more control over damage from floods and droughts.
Nile Day celebrations held at both Regional and National level provide the opportunity to focus on stimulating region-wide awareness of the development, protection, conservation and management of the River Nile Basin and its resources to the benefit of citizens of all the riparian countries that share the world’s longest river, traversing more than 6700 kilometers.
On a lighter note, Nile Day provides an opportunity to celebrate the rich and varied cultures which exist in the River Nile Basin region.