Egypt has reiterated its opposition to any unilateral actions taken by Nile Basin countries regarding shared water resources. Egyptian Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Hani Sewilam emphasized Egypt’s commitment to cooperation with African nations and support for development across the Nile Basin, stressing adherence to international laws governing transboundary waters.
Sewilam’s remarks were made on Sunday at a certificate ceremony for 19 African participants in the “River Basin Management” training program held at Egypt’s African Training Center for Water and Climate Adaptation (PACWA). The minister underscored the need for a unified, collaborative approach in managing shared water resources, facilitated by river basin organizations that align with international water laws. He called for unanimous decision-making to protect the rights of all basin countries.
Highlighting Egypt’s proactive steps, Sewilam discussed ongoing projects aimed at enhancing water efficiency, expanding water treatment and reuse, and managing climate impacts—initiatives Egypt is eager to share with other African nations. He encouraged African countries to engage in the AWARE initiative, which mobilizes funding for climate adaptation projects across the continent and currently has 30 member countries.
Sewilam also urged African states to utilize PACWA’s training programs to build expertise in water management and climate adaptation, enhancing human resources for addressing shared challenges, including population growth, limited water resources, and climate change.
