Egypt, EBRD explore climate-smart water management solutions

Egypt and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) are exploring increased cooperation in water resource management. Egypt’s Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, Hany Swailem met with Sue Barrett, EBRD’s head of Infrastructure for Europe and the Middle East, on Tuesday to discuss potential collaborations.

Discussions focused on rehabilitating water pumping stations to enhance efficiency, reduce electricity consumption, and lower emissions, contributing to climate change mitigation. The EBRD expressed its support for developing a comprehensive plan outlining rehabilitation costs and projected environmental benefits. Minister Swailem emphasised the importance of transitional training programmes to address potential labour shortages during the rehabilitation process.

The meeting also included a review of ongoing projects, notably progress on the Kitchener Drain Rehabilitation Project. Additionally, they explored future collaboration on assessing the structural integrity of the Rasheed Sea Wall and conducting technical and economic feasibility studies.

Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English

Subediting: Y.Yasser