Egypt’s Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Hani Sweilam has met with Frank Hartmann, the German ambassador to Egypt, to discuss mutual cooperation in water-related issues.
During the meeting, developments in cooperation between Egypt and Germany were discussed according to the results of the meeting held between Sweilam and the German Minister of Economic Cooperation and Development during the activities of the COP27, and the subsequent signing of an agreement with the German side in November to rehabilitate canals in Beheira governorate using environmentally friendly techniques.
Both officials agreed on joint coordination between the two sides to prepare technical studies on the use of modern irrigation systems in Egypt as an alternative to flood irrigation and to evaluate this transformation from all aspects related to water and environmental, economic, social and other dimensions.
During the meeting, Sweilam and Hartmann discussed the role that the German side can play in supporting priority water projects, in a way that contributes to achieving optimal water management and achieving food security, especially in the areas most in need and most exposed to the risks of climate change.
Sweilam stressed the need to direct the available funds to areas of adaptation and mitigation of the effects of climate change, especially in the field of protecting beaches and protection from the dangers of floods.
In preparation for the activities of the United Nations conference for the mid-term review, which is scheduled to be held in March, the German ambassador touched on the existing efforts to urge the UN to appoint a special envoy for water. Sweilam welcomed the suggestion.
Moreover, the Irrigation Minister indicated that Egypt put forward an international initiative to adapt to climate changes in the water sector during the previous climate conference in cooperation with many international partners. He also affirmed Egypt’s readiness to be an African hub for training and capacity-building in the field of adaptation to climate change.
