The NBCBN kickoff workshop is considered the official announcement for the start of the overall activities of the network in its new project phase which was initiated by beginning of the year 2006. During the first phase of the project (2000-2004), the NBCBN-RE project has already proven its role in creating mutual trust among experts based on professional respect and friendly co-operation. These achievements will be sustained and even fostered by using the innovative concept of Knowledge Networks through which a more permanent exchange of information and views can take place and so to contribute to more stability in the region. The organization of the kickoff event is meant to introduce to different partners and stakeholders the new concepts and new proposed activities for continuation of the network development process based on the project achievements in its first phase (2000-2004).

The workshop is also considered as an opportunity to link up with other networks active in the region. Therefore it will invite those networks to actively participate in the event and to explore possibilities for creating synergy.

The workshop will also be an opportunity to review the demand for research in the water sector in the region through the involvement of representatives from the Nile basin countries, NBI (SVP and SAP) and bi-lateral and multi-lateral donors. 

For the official opening ceremony we have the honor of the presence of high-level guests like the Minister of Water Resources from Egypt, the Ambassador of the Netherlands to Egypt, Ambassadors of the Nile Basin countries, and representatives from NBI and international organizations.