Your Excellency, Prof. Dr. Hani Sewilam, Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation,
Your Excellency Dr. Usama Al Azhari, Minister of Endowments,
Your Excellency Mr. Mohamed Abdellatif, Minister of Education
Dr. Said Ismail of Housing
Esteemed Ambassadors, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,
رمضان كريم و كل سنه و انتم طيبين , النهارده يوم المياه العالمي , هيرودوت قال مصر هبه النيل و ده بيورينا اد ايه الميه مهمه في حياه المصريين
Egypt is blessed with the Nile River, our source of life, an inspiration for beautiful songs and poetry that we all admire. The flow of the Nile in Egypt has blessed Egypt with its strategic and rich delta.
Thank you for joining us today on this significant occasion—World Water Day 2025. We gather under the compelling theme "Waters for Tomorrow," reflecting a shared urgency to address the escalating global and local water challenges. Today, we focus on a pivotal issue for Egypt and the Mediterranean region—water scarcity intensified by climate change.
As we speak, Egypt stands at a crossroads. Reliance on the Nile for 97% of renewable resources has placed Egypt among the world’s most water-stressed countries, facing an annual deficit exceeding 25 billion cubic meters. . The compound effect of climate change and rapid population growth sets the current Per capita water availability in Egypt now below 550 cubic meters annually, poised to cross the critical threshold of absolute water scarcity by 2027. As the Holy Quran wisely reminds us,."
﴿وَهُوَ الَّذِي أَنْزَلَ مِنَ السَّمَاءِ مَاءً فَأَخْرَجْنَا بِهِ نَبَاتَ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ ﴾Translation:
"And He is who sends down rain from the sky, and We produce thereby the growth of all things."
Therefore, it is vital we preserve this invaluable resource.
The European Union, through our strategic EU-Egypt partnership, recognizes water as a fundamental element for regional stability, sustainable growth, and climate resilience. Our collaboration—reinforced by initiatives such as the Team Europe Initiative for Integrated Water and Food Security, launched here in Cairo— and in this hotel during last Cairo water week ; represents a proactive European commitment towards Egypt’s sustainable future.
Since 2007, the EU has proudly supported Egypt’s water sector with EUR 600 million in grants, leveraging investments worth EUR 3.5 billion, improving livelihoods for over 25 million Egyptians. Our partnership has built 11,000 km of water networks, upgraded more than 200 treatment plants, and directly improved the livelihoods of over 35,000 farming households.
Our task is urgent; Just as in many parts of Europe and North Africa, water scarcity is our common challenge—demanding unified solutions and mutual understanding.
The southern Mediterranean Region is one of the most water-scarce regions in the world, possessing less than 1% of global renewable freshwater resources, despite being home to approximately 5% of the world’s population." This scarcity is exacerbated by rapid population growth, climate change, and limited renewable water sources, leading to increasing pressure on the region's social stability and economic development.
This is precisely why the EU places great emphasis on sustainable solutions such as water reuse, advanced irrigation, and renewable-powered irrigation—practices crucial to our joint strategies like Egypt’s Vision 2030 and the National Climate Change Strategy 2050.
The European Union has long recognized that water security extends beyond infrastructure to encompass health, dignity, and economic opportunity. Effective water management is central to our sustainability agenda, notably through the European Green Deal, which aims to make Europe the first climate-neutral continent by 2050. Within this framework, the EU Water Resilience Initiative will soon be adopted to tackle droughts, floods, and pollution by integrating nature-based solutions, promoting sustainable resource use, and ensuring Europe's water systems are resilient today and into the future.
To quote Ahmed Shawky, The prince of poets, امير الشعراء احمد شوقي "."
**النيلُ العَذبُ هُوَ الكَوثَر وَالجَنَّةُ شاطِئُهُ الأَخضَر رَيّانُ الصَفحَةِ وَالمَنظَر ما أَبهى الخُلدَ وَما أَنضَر**
We must not forget that youth play a pivotal role in driving this change. As highlighted by EU investments in technical education and vocational training, young Egyptians are key to innovation in water management, technology, and governance. Investing in youth capacity-building today ensures sustainable water solutions for tomorrow.
Our EU-Egypt Strategic and Comprehensive Partnership, alongside initiatives like the EU-Egypt Joint Water Partnership, represents the robust framework through which Europe is shifting from traditional development cooperation to partnership, guided by shared values and common interests and challenges, in which transformative investment and innovation are key. Together, we aim to position Egypt as a regional leader in integrated water governance and climate adaptation.
The EU and its Member States are committed to continue working with the Ministry of Water resources and irrigation and other water partners. Together we can achieve our goals and secure water as a valuable sustainable resource for Egypt.
In conclusion, our unity, strategic investments, youth engagement, and innovative approaches will shape our waters for tomorrow. Together, we must commit to ensuring water remains a source of life, cooperation, and sustainable prosperity for future generations.
Thank you and RAMADAN KEREEM