Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Mohamed Abdel Aty met with Zarobiddin Kosimi — The Republic of Tajikistan’s Ambassador to Cairo — to discuss ways to enhance areas of cooperation between the two countries in the field of water resources and irrigation.
Abdel Aty welcomed the ambassador, pointing out that the two countries possess many experiences in the field of water management that can be exchanged, emphasising the importance of considering the preparation of a memorandum of understanding that includes all areas of proposed cooperation between the two countries.
For his part, the ambassador expressed his gratitude to Abdel Aty, pointing to the good relations between the two countries in all fields and praising the great boom witnessed by the water system in Egypt during the past years.
Kosimi also reviewed the arrangements made by Tajikistan to host the ‘Dushanbe Water Conference’ in June 2022, which Abdel Aty indicated that he would participate in as a representative of Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly.
Furthermore, Abdel Aty reviewed the position of the ongoing preparations for holding the fifth edition of Cairo Water Week along with the Water Pavilion that will setup within the activities of the upcoming UN Conference of Parties on Climate Change (COP 27) that will be held in Sharm El-Sheikh this November and the expected Tajik participation in the activities of these two important events.
He further highlighted the efforts made by his ministry to prepare for the UN mid-term review conference that will be held in New York in March 2023.
“The ministry is preparing a regional report that expresses the challenges of countries that suffer from water scarcity as well as developing a number of recommendations that contribute to achieving the sustainable development goals related to water in those countries,” Abdel Aty said.
The meeting also discussed the work plan of the International Water and Climate Coalition, with Abdel Aty reviewing Egypt’s contributions to the coalition and its keenness to present the priorities and challenges of the African continent in all international initiatives and mobilise international support for the coalition during the COP 27.
The minister also briefed the Tajik ambassador on the measures the ministry is currently taking to improve and develop the irrigation system and adapt to the negative effects of climate change.
