Egyptian Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Hani Sewilam stressed his country’s desire to cooperate with its fellow African countries and support development in the Nile Basin countries, while adhering to international law regarding transboundary waters, and rejecting any unilateral measures taken by certain Nile Basin countries.
Sewilam’s statements came on Sunday while handing over certificates to 19 African trainees participating in the “River Basin Management” training program, which was held at the African Training Center for Water and Climate Adaptation (PACWA).
The minister said that it is necessary to manage transboundary water resources in an integrated manner through river basin organizations which follow international water law.
He stressed that the decision-making mechanism should be unanimous in order not to squander the rights of any of the basin countries.
Egypt and African countries face many water challenges resulting from population growth, limited water resources and climate change, he added.
Sewilam referred to the efforts made by Egypt to deal with these issues by implementing major projects to develop the water system, raise the efficiency of water use and expand water treatment and reuse, which he said are “experiences we wish to share with our African brothers.”
He pointed out the importance of African participation in the AWARE initiative, which contributes to supporting African countries by providing funding from partners and donors to implement climate change adaptation projects within the continent, which 30 countries have joined so far.
Sewilam called on fellow African nations to benefit from the capabilities of the PACWA, which provides the necessary training for African specialists in the field of water and climate change adaptation to raise the efficiency of human resources in African countries.
