World Water Day 2019: celebrations and need for actions

The theme for World Water Day 2019 was ‘Leaving no one behind’.

This is an adaptation of the central promise of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development: as sustainable development progresses, everyone must benefit.

Or course this holds in the first place for the source of life, water. In Egypt the celebration took place at the banks of the Nile. Opening contributions were made by Islamic and Coptic leaders stressing their common call for the importance of good stewardship for water management and rationalizing water use.

The Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Dr. Mohamed Abd El-Aty stressed the importance of a good planning and monitoring instrument as represented by the Egyptian National Water Resources Plan 2017-2037.

World Water Day in Egypt opens with speeches by religious leaders

The plan unfolds a coping strategy with increasing water scarcity in the region. The EU Ambassador to Egypt Ivan Surkos announced continued support to the Egyptian Water Sector via the multi-annual flagship programme #EU4WATER with a total indicative budget of up to EUR 120 Million in Grants.

This EU-funded programme aims to support the stabilization of Egypt through enhancing water security and sustainable management. “We hope to sign the programme Financing Agreement during summer and to start implementation before the end of the year”, the Ambassador said.

Children performed their songs as part of the celebration of World Water Day in Egypt

Rewards were given to female leaders of the farmers communities who stimulated water rationalization in agriculture and children sang about water.

In Rwanda, the World Water Day was preceded by week-long activities which started with a Media Tour in Sebeya Catchment where Journalists witnessed how human activities are playing a role in the siltation of river Sebeya.

According to statistics given by Maurice Serugendo who is in charge of Rubavu Power plant, for instance, more than 60 thousands kilowatts of electricity get lost in a month due to river Sebeya flooding and this affects more than four thousands homes which lack electricity due to the mentioned challenge.

Throughout the week, also an annual Integrated Water Resources Management Conference (IWRM Conference) was organized with “Leave No one Behind” Theme

Speaking at the opening of the 2019 IWRM conference, Rwanda’s Minister of Environment Dr. Vincent Biruta reminded participants that water resources are facing serious challenges that need everyone’s response to ensure efficiency use.

Dr. Biruta said “”Water resources face demands from domestic water users, farmers, industries, energy suppliers and ecosystems with all competing to satisfy their needs.”

He noted that “Water needs to be used efficiently to meet demands. This is the only way we can leave no one behind, today and into the future.”

Dr. Biruta highlighted that “”By working together, we can build a water secure and water resilient country. This year’s IWRM conference is your opportunity to make a difference – to expand your networks, your knowledge and your impact.”

On behalf of the Kingdom of Netherlands which has invested much resource in Rwanda’s Water Resources Management through Water for Growth Programme, Ambassador Frederique de Man said “”The Netherlands is so pleased to have played a role in advancing Integrated Water Resources Management in Rwanda and we look forward to continued cooperation.”

The Water Week in Rwanda was concluded on 22nd March 2019 in Ngororero District where mining activities are highly contributing negative effects on Secoko River which is one of the rivers that contribute Water into Nyabarongo river, source of Drinking Water in Rwanda as well as source of Electrical Energy provided by Nyabarongo Hydro-Power Plant.

L-R: 1. First Secretary in charge of Water and Environment at the Netherlands Embassy in Kigali, 2. Director General of Rwanda Water and Forestry Authority, 3. CEO of Rwanda Mining Board launch PES in Rwanda

The day on which Rwanda celebrated World Water Day was also an official launch of Payment for Ecosystem Services approach as one of the solutions to sustainable management of Water Resources.

However, worldwide especially across Africa, Water remains friend and foe.

Hurricane Idai devastated large areas in Malawi, Mozambique and Zimbabwe causing over 1000 casualties and millions affected by severe damage to houses, lands and public services as roads, electricity and water supply.

Africa’s Hurricane Katrina: Tropical Cyclone Idai Causes an Extreme Catastrophe / Photo: Internet

Fear for diseases is still present. It will take years to recover from what has been called the worst natural disaster in the Region.

Support actions have been starting. A special action to be recommended can be done by many land and water specialists and students: a collective on-line mapping exercise for one night organized by IHE-Delft on 27^th of March 2019. More info can be found at: https://www.un-ihe.org/mapping-area-affected-cyclone-idai.

Word Water Day 2019 events have shown that inclusiveness works. Actions on the ground, well established policies and water diplomacy at all levels remain urgently needed to cope with the local and global water challenges.