FM, Japanese Envoy Discuss Water Scarcity, Transboundary Rivers

Dr. Badr Abdelatty, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation, and Egyptian Expatriates, met with Yoko Kamikawa, Special Envoy of the Japanese Prime Minister for the UN 2026 Water Conference, within the framework of joint coordination and enhancing cooperation on water issues and sustainable development.

Abdelatty expressed his anticipation for continued close cooperation between Egypt and Japan during their co-chairing of the conference's Third Interactive Dialogue, led by Ms. Kamikawa and Dr. Hani Sewilam, Egypt's Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation.

Moreover, he emphasized building upon the successful cooperation between the two nations during the UN 2023 Water Conference to achieve target goals and reach tangible, practical outcomes at the UN 2026 Water Conference, driving the international water agenda forward through 2030.

FM also reviewed the challenges of severe water scarcity in Egypt, noting the Egyptian government's commitment to addressing these challenges through the National Strategy for Water Resources Management. This strategy includes a comprehensive and innovative vision to rationalize water use, expand wastewater treatment and reuse, and modernize irrigation methods.

In this context, Abdelatty affirmed Egypt's welcome of joint cooperation with Japan in these projects to transfer expertise and advanced technological capabilities.

In the same context, FM emphasized the vital importance of cooperation, integration, and the rejection of unilateral measures on transboundary rivers, including the Nile River.

Furthermore, he stressed that this is essential to achieving mutual benefit and shared interests in accordance with the rules of international law, foremost among which are the necessity of prior notification and the obligation not to cause harm to downstream states.