A group of regional experts from eight countries met in Kigali for a 5th Technical Coordination Meeting of Water, Climate and Development Programme (WACDEP) in Africa.
The participating experts came from African countries including Cameroun, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Burundi, Rwanda and Tunisia
During the official opening of the meeting, that will take place from 23rd to 28th September 2013 the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ms. Caroline Kayonga said that water sector and natural resources in general are facing non-climatic and climatic challenges.
“The challenges include overpopulation which leads to an imbalance of water demand versus water supply, increasing deforestation, unplanned settlements, inappropriate land use and agriculture practices.”
“As well as environmental degradation and increasing water pollution and contamination of water bodies due to invasive weeds, intensive spoil erosion, sedimentation and poor sanitation facilities,” added Kayonga.
She called upon all participants to join their efforts for climate change adaptation and resilience.
According to the Coordinator of Global Water Partnership, Mr. Alexi Simalabwi, the WACDEP is very important because it responds to the intention and commitments expressed by African Heads of State in the Sharm el-Sheikh Declaration on water and sanitation.
He said that Rwanda is advanced than other eight countries as it has put a lot of measures in terms of establishment and implementing the national climate change strategies.
“It is in this perspective that a national climate change and environment fund was established to mobilize and manage funds to be used in the fight against the climate change and its impacts,” observed Simalabwi.
He said that in Rwanda the WACDEP is being implemented in Bugesera District where communities will benefit from a number of activities.
“This will include drinking water supply, provision of improved cooking stoves, biogas and solar energy as well as protection of Lake Cyohoha buffer zone in Kamabuye Sector,“ he added.
“By building climate resilience WACDEP contributes to peace building and conflict prevention.”
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