Egypt's Water Lifeline: President Sisi Highlights Nile's Crucial Role Amidst Growing Challenges

CAIRO, Oct 25 (MENA) – President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi stated that Egypt confronts a distinct water challenge stemming from its geographical positioning and profound dependence on the Nile River. This vital waterway, shared with other Nile Basin countries, supplies over 98 percent of Egypt's renewable water resources.

Addressing the opening of the ninth Cairo Water Week via a recorded message on Sunday, President Sisi emphasized that Egypt is actively working to enhance water-use efficiency, develop its water resources, and maximize their utilization in the face of population growth, increasing water and food demands, and the intensifying impacts of climate change.

He noted that one of humanity's most significant civilizations has historically thrived along the Nile in Egypt, underscoring the river's role as a cornerstone of stability and a catalyst for development and prosperity. For Egypt, the Nile is more than just a river; it is the nation's lifeblood and a conduit for communication and cooperation among peoples.

President Sisi welcomed participants to the ninth Cairo Water Week, an international forum for dialogue, expertise exchange, and partnership building. This year's theme, "Water as a Catalyst for Peace, Shared Prosperity and a Sustainable Planet," reflects Egypt's conviction in water's capacity to foster development, stability, and cooperation.

He affirmed that water issues are a high priority in Egypt's foreign policy, viewed as drivers of cooperation and shared prosperity rather than instruments of conflict. President Sisi acknowledged that Egypt is not alone in facing these challenges, as water scarcity, droughts, floods, and resource pressures are global threats exacerbated by growing demands for water, food, and energy.

Water security, he asserted, is a collective responsibility necessitating international cooperation, funding, technology transfer, and capacity building. Egypt is committed to strengthening water cooperation at both African and Arab levels, grounded in respect for international law and a dedication to exchanging expertise and developing mutually beneficial projects and partnerships.

President Sisi reiterated Egypt's respect for and support of the development rights of all Nile Basin countries. He highlighted Egypt's practical engagement through cooperation with African nations on investment programs in the southern Nile Basin, particularly in energy, agriculture, and irrigation. This experience has shown that prior notification, study exchange, and consultations are effective in securing project financing, building trust, and safeguarding all parties' interests, rather than obstructing development.

He expressed that genuine cooperation is achievable with political will and indicated Egypt's aim to extend this collaborative approach to the eastern Nile Basin, benefiting Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia. While every nation has the right to develop and utilize its natural resources, this must be done responsibly, without harming other countries or compromising their water security. The origin of a river does not grant unilateral control over a shared resource, Sisi stated.

Egypt has deliberately chosen the path of cooperation and dialogue, confident in the justice of its cause and the legality of its stance. He stressed that Egypt would not abdicate its responsibility to protect the Egyptian people's interests and that any expectation of Egypt accepting a fait accompli or compromising its water security is unfounded. Egypt advocates for cooperation based on international law, consultation, good-neighborly relations, and the principle of no harm.

"We are one family united by the Nile, and our shared interests are greater than our differences," Sisi declared, pointing to the Nile Basin's vast potential for meeting the needs and aspirations of its peoples. He called for transforming these resources into partnerships that maximize shared benefits, protect all countries' rights, and ensure the Nile serves as a source of development, prosperity, and stability for all.

President Sisi expressed Egypt's desire to preserve the Nile as a unifying force and a shared resource, safeguarding all peoples' rights rather than becoming a site of unilateral imposition. He renewed Egypt's call to leverage water as a catalyst for peace and shared prosperity, urging a shift from crisis management to solution development and from commitments to concrete implementation.

Announcing the official opening of the ninth Cairo Water Week, President Sisi wished participants success and expressed hope for tangible outcomes that bolster peace and contribute to a safer, fairer, and more prosperous future for all peoples. (MENA)