Egyptian President: Water security is a shared responsibility requiring international cooperation and adequate funding

Cairo -- Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi affirmed on Monday that water security has become a shared responsibility requiring effective international cooperation, adequate financing, technology transfer, and capacity building, stressing the importance of respecting the rules of international law, consultation, coordination, and avoiding harm to the interests of other states.

Speaking at a meeting with ministers and heads of delegations participating in the ninth session of the 2026 Cairo Water Week, el-Sisi said that water issues hold a high priority in Egypt’s foreign policy, as they serve as a cornerstone for cooperation, development, and shared prosperity, rather than being a cause of conflict and disputes.

In a statement, Egyptian Presidential Spokesman Ambassador Mohamed El-Shenawy noted that President el-Sisi clarified that Egypt is not alone in facing water challenges, as most countries in the world suffer from water scarcity, drought and flood risks, and rising demand for water, food, and energy.

He added that Egypt relies on the Nile River for more than 98 percent of its renewable water resources, which come entirely from outside its borders, noting that it is among the driest countries in the world, with annual rainfall averaging no more than 18 millimeters, while per capita water availability has dropped to about 473 cubic meters annually.

El-Shenawy pointed out that Egypt reuses approximately 23 billion cubic meters of water annually as part of its efforts to manage water scarcity, highlighting the launch of the second generation of the water management system, which is based on smart water management, digital transformation, infrastructure development, and enhanced capacity to adapt to climate change.

The Egyptian president affirmed his country’s respect for all Nile Basin countries’ right to development and Egypt’s support for it, citing cooperation in development projects proposed under investment programs in Southern Nile Basin countries.

He stressed that prior notification, exchange of studies, and consultation are important tools for building trust and supporting project financing, and are not meant to disrupt development or impose hegemony on any country. He expressed Egypt’s hope to consolidate the same approach in the Eastern Nile Basin, in a manner that serves the interests of Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia.

He noted that the Nile Basin receives approximately 2,050 billion cubic meters of rainfall annually, of which only about 84 billion cubic meters reach Aswan on average, representing just 4 to 5 percent. He called for maximizing the use of available resources in basin countries and turning them into opportunities for shared development and prosperity.

He also called for establishing a comprehensive framework encompassing all basin countries, noting that four countries remain outside the framework agreement. He added that convening all basin countries requires addressing their concerns through an agreed amendment or an additional protocol within the consultative process of the Council of Water Ministers.

He affirmed that Egypt’s demand is to ensure that its share of Nile waters is not compromised, emphasizing that water is a right for all and must not be exploited for political purposes. (End) A.F.F. / N.S.A.