Egypt, Lebanon discuss water, irrigation cooperation

Egypt’s Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Hani Sewilam met with Lebanese Minister of Energy and Water Joseph Saddi on the sidelines of a high-level celebration in Paris marking 50 years since the launch of UNESCO’s International Hydrological Programme, as per a Cabinet statement.

The ministers reviewed progress on activating a memorandum of understanding signed between Egypt and Lebanon on cooperation in water resources and irrigation. The agreement covers collaboration on flood protection, rainwater harvesting, water infrastructure planning and design, use of non-conventional water sources—such as treated agricultural drainage—and capacity-building for water professionals.

It also includes joint efforts on integrated water management in shared river basins and coordination within the Union for the Mediterranean framework.

Sewilam highlighted Egypt’s leading role in putting water issues at the top of the international agenda, especially in Arab and African contexts.

He invited Lebanon to engage with the UN’s AWARe (Action on Water Adaptation and Resilience) initiative, particularly in early warning systems and securing finance for climate adaptation projects in water-stressed regions.

The two ministers agreed to strengthen future cooperation in water management in light of the shared challenges posed by water scarcity and climate change.

Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English
Subediting: M. S. Salama