Sweilem: A prominent cooperation between Egypt and Japan to put water at the top of the global climate action agenda
Dr. Hani Sweilem, Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, received Saito Hiroiki, Secretary General of the Water Administration of the Japanese Government, to discuss ways to enhance joint cooperation between the two countries in the field of water and climate.
He welcomed Swailem met with Mr. Hiroiki, expressing his appreciation to Yuko Kamikawa, Special Envoy of the Japanese Prime Minister, for the distinguished cooperation we always see with it in the field of water and climate, which was evident in the joint presidency of Egypt and Japan for the third interactive dialogue on water and climate, which was held within the activities of the United Nations Water Conference, which was held in March 2023.
Suwailem pointed to the prominent cooperation between the two countries to put water at the top of the global climate action agenda, which was evident in the "Third Interactive Dialogue on Water and Climate" He stressed the importance of continuing the efforts made to reinforce the main messages issued by the interactive dialogue, pointing to the joint coordination between the two countries during the activities of the “Tenth World Water Forum.” Which was held in Bali, Indonesia, in May 2024, and the importance of continuing joint efforts to enhance the status of water and climate at the global level, pointing to the holding of a high-level session within the activities of the Seventh Cairo Water Week entitled “Preparing for the United Nations Water Conference 2026.” In partnership with the United Arab Emirates and Senegal, with the aim of continuing to mobilize international interest in the water and climate issue.
In light of Japan’s support for Action Track No. (5) of the AWARe initiative, Sweilem pointed out the importance of this initiative. In supporting African countries in the field of water and adaptation to climate change, noting that 30 countries and many international organizations have joined the initiative so far, in addition to noting the role of the African Center for Water and Climate Adaptation in providing the necessary training for African specialists in the field of adaptation to climate change.
The possibility of organizing a joint meeting between Egypt, Japan, the African Development Bank, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the World Meteorological Organization was also discussed to discuss ways to provide the proposed financial support to help countries establish warning systems. Early.
Suwailem also pointed out the existence of many bilateral cooperation projects between the two countries, such as the project to establish the new Dayrut Barrage group, which is being implemented in cooperation with Japan, and which comes as a continuation of what has been achieved over the past years. Among the works to replace and rehabilitate all major water facilities located on Bahr Youssef, in addition to the project “Enhancing Water Productivity in Agriculture” In partnership with the Government of Japan and the FAO, noting the importance of preparing a memorandum of understanding between Egypt and Japan in the field of water that reflects all current and future aspects of cooperation.
