Alex Simalabwi, Global Coordinator of WACDEP hailed the important steps so far made since the Pretoria Coordination Meeting. Also resolved was to work towards the strengthening Country Water Partnerships in all GWP Regions. 

He also lauded Bugesera WACDEP Project for “ for leading the way in managing and protecting water resources of Lake Cyohoha and Government of Rwanda for putting in place a green growth strategy.

The coordination workshop attended by Western Africa, Southern Africa, Eastern Africa, Central, North Africa and GWP participants was officially opened by Madam Carol Kayonga, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Natural Resources, Government of Rwanda. 

Rwanda’s representative called for more partnerships as the pathway for solving water and natural resources. “ challenges like over population, increasing population, deforestation and unplanned settlements still pose a threat to improved water resources management.”

The workshop aimed  at  catalyzing the exchange of lessons, share knowledge and technical coordination of the implementation of WACDEP among Regional Offices of Global Water Partnership and Countries. The meeting reviewed the suitability of the learning materials in a real world development context using Rwanda as a case study.  

In Eastern Africa, WACDEP is implemented in River Kagera Basin (regional level), Rwanda-Burundi (country level) specifically around Lake Cyohoha (community level) in Bugesera District, Eastern Province of Rwanda. 

After the meeting, GWP delegates led by Simalabwi held a working visit to Rwanda’s Natural Resources Ministry and held pertinent and strategic issues relating to further deepen partnerships for effective realization of WACDEP in Rwanda and Burundi.