On 29th April 2021, Burundi Nile Basin Discourse Forum (FCBN) held a Nile Day celebration that took place at OSPIA COMPLEX, BUJUMBURA. This celebration is one of the many National Nile Day celebrations which followed the Regional Nile Day celebration that was virtually hosted by Uganda. Nile Basin Discourse participates as the main partner of Nile Basin Initiative.

34 participants including the representatives of central government and its institutions, the FCBN Steering Committee, public and private organizations that are partners of FCBN, FCBN member organizations and the media participated in the event.

The day's discussions focused on three main topics: (1) Rethinking National and Regional Investments in the Nile Basin which is also the theme for this year's celebration; (2) Approaches for effective resilience to the effects of climate change and; (3) The role of each stakeholder (State, Private Investors and Civil Societies).

Through group focused discussions, participants reflected on regional investments, national investments and the rising waters of Lake Tanganyika.

On regional investments, participants reflected on options which would lead to the success as follows:

• Promotion of cross-border projects. Example ; the Rusumo Hydropwer project underway which will produce 80 MW between 3 countries (Burundi, Rwanda and Tanzania)
• Promote other cross-border integrated water resources management projects like the GIRET project (Integrated Trans-boundary Water Resources Management)
• Find funding for regional and cross-border projects where feasibility study was conducted (construction of the Ruvyironza hydroelectric dam)
• Construction of railways linking the countries bordering the Nile basin to promote circulation of goods and people.
• Promote capacity building projects at the regional level to exchange knowledge and experiences (strengthening solidarity between Nile riparian countries).
• Equitable sharing of benefits to avoid frustration.

On national investments, participants singled out options to ensure national investments are possible and hence suggested the following:

• Irrigation / Marshland development:
• Large-scale multiplication
• Water retention dam
• Rainwater harvesting
• Exploitation of underground water by drilling and pumping

They also proposed solutions and strategies for the protection of the slopes of the Nile basin:

• Protection of river / lake banks

• Erosion control (AWF, reforestation, etc.)

• Development of tourist sites

• Rehabilitation of access tracks

• Fight against the pollution of water flowing into the tributaries of the Nile.

• Lighten the workload of women by supplying drinking water, using BIKIGITI stoves, rural electrification, etc.

• Installation of public bins and ecological toilets on public roads.

Participants also discussed on the current rise of rise of the Waters of Lake Tanganyika, its causes and proposed solutions to address the challenge as follow:

• Heavy rainfall in the region
• Runoff
• Geographical location (altitude)

Solutions:

• Emergency actions
• Start negotiations with the DRC on RUZIZI I
• Respect the buffer zones of Lake Tanganyika
• Strengthen cooperation between the riparian countries of Lake Tanganyika
• Set up planning and management tools for the water resources of the Lake Tanganyika basin in all riparian countries
• Strengthen the resilience of neighboring populations.

The discussions were very important and have helped to adopt recommendation centered on the topics of the day.

The chairperson of the FCBN recalled that the community has a very important role to play in the implementation of the projects developed for the protection of the water sources of this river.