Nairobi, 8 December 2014 – The IGAD Inland Water Resources Management Program has convened the 1st Water Dialogue Forum and Expo at the Kenyatta International Conference Center (KICC) in Nairobi, Kenya. The three-day event that commenced this morning, was officially opened by the Cabinet secretary of Environment, Water and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kenya, Prof. Judy Wakhungu who also launched the Expo being held in the same premises.
Other dignitaries present included the IGAD Executive Secretary Ambassador Mahboub Maalim and Representative of the United Nations Mr. Mohamed Khalid. The dignitaries joined close to 500 delegates who represent the water sector in seven IGAD Member States.
IGAD Executive Secretary Ambassador Mahboub Maalim in his welcoming remarks stressed the urgency of regional cooperation on water resources management. He also highlighted some key goals of the Water Dialogue Forum which include: promoting dialogue and understanding; increasing synergy in all water mangagment programs, engaging development partners on these initiatives as well as building consensus on regional water management.
Cabinet secretary of Environment, Water and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kenya, Prof. Judy Wakhungu on her part commended IGAD’s initiative and assured the delegates of the Kenyan government’s full support.
The Inland Water Resources Management Programme (INWRMP) was initiated to harness the region’s water resources in a sustainable and all-inclusive manner. The dialogue forum and expo will continue until 10 December 2014.
