President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi reaffirmed Egypt’s commitment to diplomacy in addressing the dispute over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), emphasizing that Cairo has always followed a transparent and responsible path in defending its water rights.
Speaking at the opening of the 8th Cairo Water Week, President El-Sisi said:
“Egypt has pursued a sincere diplomatic course regarding the Ethiopian dam. The Nile is a shared property for all riparian states.”
The President warned that Ethiopia’s unregulated management of the GERD has harmed the downstream countries, Egypt and Sudan, adding that “water security is not a luxury, and sustainable development is not optional.”
He further stressed that the international community must confront Ethiopia’s reckless actions, noting that recent irregular water discharges from the dam have caused damage to both downstream nations.
“It is imperative for the international and African communities to act responsibly against such unilateral measures and ensure that water releases are coordinated and regulated under a binding legal agreement,” El-Sisi stated.
Egypt’s Diplomatic Commitment and Warning to Addis Ababa
President El-Sisi made it clear that Egypt will not remain idle in the face of Ethiopia’s irresponsible behavior, asserting that the country will take all necessary measures to protect its national water security.
He emphasized that Egypt’s approach over the past fourteen years of negotiations with Ethiopia has been characterized by patience, wisdom, and genuine intent to reach a fair, legally binding agreement that safeguards the interests of all Nile Basin states.
“Egypt presented multiple technical alternatives that would achieve Ethiopia’s development goals without harming the downstream nations,” El-Sisi said. “Yet these efforts were met with inflexibility, driven by political motives and false claims of unilateral sovereignty over the Nile.”
The Nile: A Shared Lifeline, Not a Source of Division
El-Sisi reiterated that international rivers were not created to divide nations, but to serve as lifelines that unite and foster cooperation.
He affirmed that Egypt firmly rejects any unilateral actions that disregard international law or threaten the rights of Nile Basin countries.
“Development is not a privilege for one state,” the President said. “It is a collective responsibility shared among all peoples of the river.”
The President called for a balance between the development aspirations of upstream nations and the survival needs of downstream states, under a framework that reflects justice, mutual benefit, and respect for international conventions.
Cairo Water Week: Egypt’s Broader Vision for Water Security
During his address, El-Sisi highlighted Egypt’s wider water management reforms and climate adaptation strategies, including major projects like the Bahr Al-Baqar, Al-Mahsama, and New Delta treatment plants — among the largest water reuse projects in the world.
He also noted Egypt’s initiatives during the COP27 Climate Summit in Sharm El-Sheikh, where Cairo launched the Water Adaptation and Resilience Initiative in partnership with UNESCO and the World Meteorological Organization, to support developing nations facing water and climate challenges.
Reaffirming Egypt’s pan-African solidarity, El-Sisi cited the country’s efforts in drilling solar-powered groundwater wells, constructing rainwater harvesting facilities, and training African specialists through the African Center for Water and Climate Adaptation.
“Egypt believes that climate and water justice cannot be achieved without Africa having a strong voice and rightful place at the global decision-making table,” El-Sisi concluded.
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