Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and Water Resources and Irrigation Minister Hani Sweilam met to coordinate regional and international efforts on water issues and strengthen cooperation with Nile Basin countries.
The ministers reaffirmed Egypt’s long-standing support for development in Nile Basin states, particularly in the southern basin, and reviewed existing cooperation mechanisms, including a $100 million financing initiative for infrastructure projects such as dams, as well as the work of the Egyptian Agency for Partnership for Development and the Egyptian Nile Basin Development Initiative.
They discussed recent joint visits, including to Uganda, and opportunities for further projects to safeguard and optimize water resources, citing examples of previous work in Sudan, South Sudan, Kenya, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, and Tanzania. These include solar-powered groundwater wells, river ports, water storage facilities, rain forecasting centers, and flood protection projects, with total funding of $100 million.
On Nile issues, the ministers said Egypt is committed to cooperation and mutual benefit with basin countries while safeguarding its water security. They called for adherence to international law in managing the Nile and rejected unilateral measures in the eastern basin, adding that Egypt will take all lawful steps to protect its vital water interests.
They agreed to maintain close coordination on planned projects, including the MabanKana hydropower dam in the DRC, to be financed through Egypt’s new funding mechanism for southern basin infrastructure.
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