The 22nd Sectoral council of ministers on Lake Victoria Basin (SECOM-LVB)  meeting has officially kicked off in Kisumu, in the Republic of Kenya.

The five day meeting began with sessions of senior officials from all the relevant ministries from the East African partner states.

A section of delegates attending the meeting

The Sectoral Council of Ministers on Lake Victoria Basin is the governing body of the Commission which provides the strategic direction to the Commission for the Benefit of our people of East Africa.

During the plenary session, the senior officials are expected considered the status of the report of the implementation of previous decisions and directives of the 21st SECOM for Lake Victoria Basin.

Delegates following the proceedings

They are also expected to consider the status of the report of the 10th Joint Regional Policy Steering committee for LVBC projects and programs and updates of activities undertaken up to December 2023.

The projects include Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) Nile Cooperation for Climate Resilience (NCCR), Multinational Lake Victoria Transport and Communication; Scaling put Resilient Water and Agricultural Systems and Adapting to Climate Change.

The Adapting to climate change for Lake Victoria Basin project officially ended on 31st August 2023 after the project co-operation agreement was signed in March 2018.

This project which was funded by the Adaptation Fund through UNEP to a tune of USD 5 Million, was implemented in five East African partner states namely the Republic of Kenya, Republic of Burundi, Republic of Rwanda, Republic of Uganda and the United Republic of Tanzania. Each country received USD 520,000 for the implementation through five components.

LVBC Executive Secretary makes his remarks

In his official welcoming address, Lake Victoria Basin Commission Executive Secretary Dr Masinde Bwire said, “ I welcome all of you this session and acknowledges the important role the sectoral council of ministers plays in issuing directive and policy guidance for the commission”

Chair of the session Eng Chut Isaac from the Republic of South Sudan makes his remarks

Eng Chut Isaac from the Republic of South Sudan   who chaired the session,” I call upon all the delegates from different countries to engage in constructive deliberations”.