Egypt, Japan sign water cooperation agreement
Egypt and Japan signed a memorandum of understanding on Wednesday to expand cooperation in water resources management, including infrastructure development, climate resilience, and the use of digital technologies, Egypt’s Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation said.
Egyptian Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Hany Swailem signed the agreement with Japan’s Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism in charge of Water Cycle Policy Nakano Hiromasa, and Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries Shinjiro Koizumi. The signing took place in Tokyo on the sidelines of the 50th anniversary celebrations of Japan’s Water Day.
The memorandum provides a framework for expanding bilateral cooperation in areas including flood risk management, drought monitoring, irrigation modernisation, water infrastructure, asset management, and integrated water resources management.
It also covers the use of advanced technologies such as remote sensing, satellite imaging, digital twin technology, and artificial intelligence to improve water distribution, strengthen water management, and enhance the efficiency of agricultural irrigation systems.
Swailem said the agreement reflects the growing partnership between Egypt and Japan in the water sector and builds on years of cooperation in infrastructure development and technical assistance.
He cited the New Dairout Barrages project, financed by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), as an example of successful bilateral cooperation in modernising Egypt’s water infrastructure while improving water management and climate resilience.
Swailem said the two countries would also cooperate through the African Centre for Water and Climate Adaptation (PACWA) and the International Centre for Water Hazard and Risk Management (ICHARM) to support capacity building, technical training, and knowledge exchange with African countries.
The ministry said the agreement is intended to strengthen Egypt’s water management capabilities, promote innovation, and expand technical cooperation with Japan in support of sustainable development and adaptation to climate change.
Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English