Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi stressed that the future of global water security hinges on effective international cooperation grounded in respect for international law, innovation, and scientific research. His remarks came during the opening of the 8th Cairo Water Week, held under the theme “Innovative Solutions for Climate Resilience and Sustainable Water Resources.”
In his recorded speech, President El-Sisi warned that the world faces complex and overlapping water challenges — including growing demand, water scarcity, inefficient management, and the severe impacts of climate change. He underlined the urgent need to strengthen cross-border collaboration to manage shared water resources.
“Africa is not immune to these challenges,” El-Sisi said, noting that it is the world’s second driest continent, with over 300 million Africans lacking access to clean drinking water, according to UN reports. He added that the Arab world is also among the regions most affected by water scarcity, relying largely on external water sources.
Egypt’s National Vision for Water Management
El-Sisi explained that Egypt faces immense water challenges, as more than 98% of its water comes from the Nile River — its only major source. With annual rainfall of just 1.3 billion cubic meters and per capita water share of 500 cubic meters per year, Egypt ranks among the world’s most water-scarce nations.
He highlighted that ensuring access to clean water is a top national priority, especially amid rapid population growth and the climate threats facing the Nile Delta and northern coasts.
“A new generation of Egypt’s irrigation system reflects our transition toward integrated and sustainable water resource management,” the President said.
He pointed to landmark projects like the Bahr Al-Baqar, Al-Mahsama, and New Delta treatment plants — some of the largest water reuse facilities in the world — which provide new water resources for agriculture and land reclamation.
Egypt’s efforts also include modern irrigation systems, canal rehabilitation, coastal protection, and the integration of digital and smart water management technologies to boost efficiency and climate resilience.
Cairo’s Leadership in Global Water Diplomacy
President El-Sisi reaffirmed that these national efforts can only succeed with active international cooperation to ensure the human right to clean water and support the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 6.5).
He recalled Egypt’s leading role during COP27 in Sharm El-Sheikh (2022), where it introduced the Water Adaptation and Resilience Initiative (AWARE) in partnership with UNESCO and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) to strengthen regional and global cooperation on water and climate issues.
“Egypt extended a helping hand to its African brothers,” El-Sisi noted, citing projects such as solar-powered groundwater wells, rainwater harvesting facilities, and modern irrigation programs, as well as capacity-building through the African Center for Water and Climate Adaptation Training.
Call for Justice and Responsible Governance
El-Sisi underscored that international rivers were not created to divide nations, but to serve as lifelines of cooperation and shared prosperity.
He reiterated Egypt’s rejection of unilateral actions on the Nile, emphasizing that development is not a privilege for one nation but a shared responsibility among all river states.
“Water security is not a luxury, and sustainable development is not optional — they are fundamental rights that must be protected through fair partnerships,” he said.
El-Sisi also reaffirmed Egypt’s commitment to diplomacy in resolving disputes, referencing 14 years of negotiations with Ethiopia over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).
“Egypt pursued a wise and balanced diplomatic course, presenting fair technical alternatives that would achieve Ethiopia’s development goals without harming downstream nations,” he added, warning that Ethiopia’s unilateral actions have already caused harm due to irregular water releases.
“Water Must Be a Bridge for Cooperation, Not a Source of Conflict”
President El-Sisi concluded by emphasizing that the future of water security depends on collective responsibility, adherence to international law, and the translation of ideas into concrete action.
“Let us all be partners in turning visions into reality, and ideas into projects,” he said. “Let Cairo Water Week be a real starting point for a world where water becomes a bridge of cooperation — not a source of conflict, a symbol of hope — not a cause for dispute.”
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