Cairo: Professor Dr. Hani Suwailem, Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, held a meeting with Ambassador Angelina Eichhorst, the EU Ambassador to Egypt, to discuss ways to enhance the water partnership between Egypt and the EU. The discussions centered around developing strategic action plans for 2024-2027 in alignment with the ministry’s priorities, as well as coordinating joint activities for the upcoming eighth Cairo Water Week, scheduled for October 2025.
According to State Information Service Egypt, Dr. Suwailem emphasized the significant cooperation and strategic partnership between Egypt and the EU, particularly in the water sector. He acknowledged the EU’s support in enhancing key areas like irrigation efficiency, water reuse, water treatment technologies, and climate change adaptation, contributing to Egypt’s efforts to tackle water scarcity and food security challenges.
The partnership was further highlighted by the signing of the “Water Partnership Declaration between Egypt and the EU” during the COP28 conference in 2023. This declaration aims to support water security in Egypt through sustainable water resource management, dialogue, and experience exchange, strengthening technological and administrative capacities in both regions. The agreement also focuses on building capacities in integrated water resource management based on equality and mutual benefit.
Dr. Suwailem noted ongoing collaborative projects with various EU countries, including the third national drainage programme, water quality improvement in the Kitchener drain, and modernising irrigation techniques to benefit small farmers in Upper Egypt. Other projects include the integrated sectoral approach project (JISA) and monitoring land and water productivity through remote sensing.
He highlighted Egypt’s efforts to enhance water usage efficiency through projects under “Generation 2 of the Irrigation System 2.0.” The ministry is rehabilitating water facilities and exploring automated control for better water management and distribution. Additionally, they are examining environmentally friendly materials for canal rehabilitation, expanding modern irrigation projects, advancing water treatment and reuse projects, and studying desalination technologies for intensive food production. The ministry is also focusing on governance principles, updating management systems with modern technology, digitisation, and artificial intelligence applications.
The meeting also covered the “European Green Facility” initiative under the “Team Europe Initiative,” signed during the seventh Cairo Water Week in 2024. Dr. Suwailem described this initiative as a crucial step in addressing Egypt’s challenges, particularly in the water and agriculture sectors, which are essential for sustainable development in the country.