Egypt Reaffirms Rejection of Unilateral Actions in Eastern Nile Basin

Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Egyptian Expatriates, Badr Abdelatty, reiterated Egypt’s rejection of unilateral measures that violate international law in the Eastern Nile Basin, emphasizing that cooperation and consensus must guide relations among countries sharing transboundary rivers.

Abdelatty made his remarks during the signing ceremony establishing a UNESCO Chair on the Management and Governance of Transboundary Waters at the National Water Research Center, which operates under the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation.

The ceremony was hosted by Water Resources and Irrigation Minister Hani Sewilam and attended by Higher Education and Scientific Research Minister Abdelaziz Konsowa, who also chairs Egypt’s National Commission for UNESCO.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abdelatty praised the growing cooperation between Egypt and UNESCO in areas such as scientific research, education and capacity building, noting that several UNESCO Chairs hosted by Egyptian universities highlight the country’s strong academic and research capabilities.

He stressed that water management has become one of the world’s most urgent challenges, particularly in regions where water resources are shared across borders. In this context, he underscored the importance of scientific collaboration and knowledge exchange to ensure sustainable management of shared water resources.

The foreign minister also highlighted UNESCO’s role in promoting scientific diplomacy and international cooperation in water management through programs such as the Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme.

Abdelatty expressed hope that the new UNESCO Chair would strengthen research on transboundary water cooperation and help train specialists capable of addressing future challenges related to shared water resources.

He also emphasized the importance of scientific solutions and stronger coordination among riparian states to achieve mutual benefits and support regional stability and development.