CAIRO, Oct 12 (MENA) – Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Expatriates Badr Abdelatty reaffirmed Egypt’s historical commitment to peace and sustainable water management, addressing the opening session of the 8th Cairo Water Week with a call for cooperation among Nile Basin countries.
The event coincides with preparations for a peace summit in Sharm El-Sheikh, expected to be attended on Monday by around 20 world leaders, including US President Donald Trump.
In his remarks, Abdelatty said water issues have become central to global political discussions, linking access to water with human rights and peace. He warned that Egypt, which lies below the water poverty line, relies entirely on the Nile as its only fresh water source, and no country has the right to block or hinder its flow to downstream nations.
The minister highlighted Egypt’s longstanding partnerships with Nile Basin states, built on mutual benefit and regional cooperation. He rejected Ethiopia’s continued unilateral actions on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), calling them illegal and contrary to international law.
“Egypt’s Nile policy is based on a firm belief in international law and equitable water management,” Abdelatty said. “We believe that with goodwill and legal cooperation, shared resources can drive development, not conflict.”
He welcomed a consultative approach under the Nile Basin Initiative and urged an end to division among basin countries. Abdelatty reiterated Egypt’s monitoring of developments in the Eastern Nile and its opposition to any actions taken without consensus.
Cairo Water Week, held under the theme “Innovative Solutions for Climate Resilience and Water Sustainability”, brings together officials, experts, and decision-makers from across the globe. The event aims to boost cooperation and exchange best practices in water security and climate adaptation. This year’s agenda focuses on five key themes: cooperation, climate action, innovation, nature-based solutions, and sustainable infrastructure.
