Cairo:Egypt's Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, Hani Sewilam, has emphasized the United Kingdom's vital role as a partner in Egypt's climate change adaptation and environmental sustainability efforts. This statement was made during discussions with British Minister of State in the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Emma Hardy, held on the sidelines of the ninth Cairo Water Week.
According to State Information Service Egypt, the talks centered on enhancing cooperation in areas such as water security, climate adaptation, and sustainable development. The discussions also aimed at transforming the Egypt-UK Green Growth partnership into tangible projects.
Sewilam noted the expansion of bilateral cooperation in 2026, highlighting recent consultations on green growth, water management, and preparations for the 2026 United Nations Water Conference. He proposed the creation of a joint action plan under the Egypt-UK Green Growth Agreement, which would involve identifying priority projects and appointing representatives from both nations to coordinate their implementation.
The meeting also addressed various topics, including wastewater treatment and reuse, desalination, modern irrigation techniques, smart water management, early warning systems, and climate-resilient water infrastructure. Opportunities for collaboration with Nile Basin countries were explored, leveraging Egypt's experience in African water projects alongside British technical expertise and financing.
Sewilam reviewed Egypt's regional financing initiative, which was launched with an initial capital of $100 million to support development projects in the Nile Basin countries. Additionally, he outlined the role of the Pan-African Center for Water and Climate Adaptation (PACWA) in training African specialists, alongside the African Water Facility's efforts in preparing projects for financing.
A proposal was made by Sewilam to form a joint technical team dedicated to identifying priority projects and reinforcing Egypt-UK coordination on water and climate issues in preparation for the 2026 UN Water Conference.