As a result of the various problems facing the riparian states in the basin, the Nile Basin initiative has been established to encourage co-operation between nations regarding water management. It can be described as follows: ‘The Nile Basin Initiative is a regional intergovernmental partnership that seeks to develop the River Nile in a cooperative manner, share substantial socio-economic benefits and promote regional peace and security’ (www.nilebasin.org). Its aim and statement is also as follows: ‘The partnership is guided by a Shared Vision: 'To achieve sustainable socio-economic development through equitable utilization of, and benefit from, the common Nile Basin Water resources'. The shared belief is that countries can achieve better outcomes for all the peoples of the Basin through cooperation rather than competition. At the heart of this challenge is the imperative to eradicate poverty’ (www.nilebasin.org). The initiative covers a range of economic and political sanctions for water management.