This afternoon at the FA Commission, the UNESCO Executive Board approved the decision to extend the current agreement for the Regional Centre for Integrated River Basin Management (RC-IRBM) in Kaduna, Nigeria. The extension, which lasts until March 2026, allows time for the renewal process to be completed, ensuring the continuation of the Centre’s critical work in water resource management for the West African region.
The RC-IRBM was initially established under an agreement between UNESCO and the Nigerian government, effective from March 2012. The Centre plays a significant role in promoting research, capacity building, and the sustainable management of water resources, primarily focusing on integrated river basin management. The Nigerian government had formally requested the extension in February 2023, following delays in the renewal process.
This extension allows time for independent experts to complete the evaluation required for the Centre’s renewal as a UNESCO category 2 institute, according to the 2019 UNESCO strategy for category 2 centres. The extension ensures that the Centre can continue its vital activities, which contribute to research, training, and the sustainable management of water resources across the region.
With the decision approved, the Director-General will submit recommendations on the renewal of the Centre at the Executive Board’s 222nd session. This approval underscores UNESCO’s commitment to supporting sustainable water resource management and capacity-building efforts within West Africa, facilitated by the RC-IRBM.
