Juba to host regional Nile Day celebrations in February

JUBA – Delegates from the Nile Basin member states are expected to meet in South Sudan’s capital, Juba, in February 2026 for the annual Nile Day commemoration.

Nile Day commemorates the establishment of the Nile Basin Initiative and is celebrated annually on the 22nd of February across Nile Basin countries and riparian states.

The countries through the Nile Basin Initiative in 1999 agreed to develop, manage, protect, and conserve as well as utilize water resources on the basis of a commonly formulated and adopted shared vision.

The 20th Nile Day, organized by the Nile Basin Initiative, aims to promote cooperation and sustainable management of the Nile resources among member states, including Kenya, Uganda, Sudan, and Tanzania.

The celebrations are expected to draw delegates from all 11 member states of the Nile Basin Initiative (NBI).

Speaking after the weekly cabinet meeting in Juba on Friday, David Yau Yau, Deputy Information Minister, said the Cabinet has approved the budget for the event expected to take place in Juba.

“The Council of Ministers meeting on Friday endorsed South Sudan to host celebrations for Nile Basin Day in February, which will mark a major participation for South Sudan in regional affairs,” David said.

David said the decision follows a presentation of a memo by the Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, James Mawich, which outlined the country’s commitment to the Nile Basin Initiative.

He said the Cabinet instructed the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and Finance and Planning to clear outstanding arrears owed to regional and international organizations.

The event will bring together all the countries of the NBI, with the aim of promoting cooperation, sustainable water management, and shared benefits of the Nile Basin Initiative, which was established on 22 February 1999.

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