On 22 March 2019, on the occasion of the World Water Day, the DRC/Goma Network of Young Water, Sanitation and Environment Professionals organized the First Kivu Regional Water Conference on the theme: “To achieve sustainable development goals, do not leave anyone behind.” More than 130 people, mostly young ones from Bukavu (South Kivu), Gisenyi (Rwanda) and Rusthuru, gathered in Goma (North Kivu) at the Université Libre of the Great Lakes Countries to seek solutions to the water challenges in Kivu.

“This conference is also part of the implementation of the commitments made at the 3rd Forum of Young African Water and Sanitation Professionals, which we attended last year in Bamako, Mali, on the sidelines of the 19th Congress of the African Water Association. I was very happy to see that some young people have applied through our online form. Although most of them have not had the opportunity to travel to Goma, it has allowed us to discover young people interested in our activities, and with whom we can work towards our goal of expanding the network throughout the DRC," said Mr. Bashonga, network coordinator during an exclusive interview with Kivu Nyota Magazine.

The activity was launched by the Division Chief for Planning and the Executive Secretary of the Provincial Water, Hygiene and Sanitation Action Committee (CPAEHA). Several themes were discussed including: ''The role of women in addressing the water problem: difficulties, contributions and perspectives'', by DFJ (Dynamics of women lawyers). ''Water and conflict'' (Transaqua Project: transfer of water from Ubangi to Lake Chad threatened with extinction), by UCNDK. ''REGIDESO's activities in water supply: difficulties and prospects'', presented by the Provincial Director of REGIDESO SA and former National Chairman of the Committee of Young Water Professionals of the DRC; and finally the theme on ''Water and economy'', presented by the PREMIDIS SARL company.

This was followed by the screening of the documentary film ''The Water War'' by film Director Sergens Gloire Kabika, a member of the network. The day after the conference, a delegation of young professionals, led by Mr. Caleb lwimbo and Miss Joelle Kinja, was invited to the Institut Français of Goma to participate in a scientific exhibition organized by the UNICEF Office of Goma, also as part of the celebration of the World Water Day.