Egypt’s Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, Hani Swailem, has reaffirmed Egypt’s commitment to strengthening Arab co-operation and co-ordinating international positions to defend Arab water rights, and stressed the need to integrate parliamentary diplomacy with official efforts.
Swailem, who chairs the Arab Ministerial Council for Water, made the remarks during a meeting with Deputy Speaker of the Arab Parliament and Chairman of its Arab Water Security Committee, MP Hisham El-Hosary. The meeting focused on co-ordination between the Council, the Ministry and the Committee, which was established on October 26, 2023.
At the start of the meeting, Swailem welcomed the formation of the committee amid mounting challenges, including water scarcity, climate change, dependence on transboundary rivers and threats to water resources in occupied territories.
He highlighted the Council’s meetings, hosted by Egypt from October 24 to 26, 2026, on the sidelines of the ninth Cairo Water Week, when Egypt assumed the Council’s presidency. The meetings reaffirmed that Arab water security is indivisible, rejected the use of water as a means of political pressure, and emphasised the importance of international law and co-ordination over shared rivers.
Egypt’s priorities include implementing the Council’s resolutions, supporting viable Arab water projects, exchanging data and expertise, and co-ordinating positions, particularly ahead of the 2026 UN Water Conference.
In this regard, Swailem called for proactive Arab water diplomacy, equitable water use, avoiding significant harm, and prior consultation and notification regarding projects that could affect other states. He also cited Egypt’s mutually beneficial development co-operation with Nile Basin countries.
El-Hosary reaffirmed the Arab Parliament’s support for legitimate Arab water rights, describing water security as an integral part of national security.
He stressed the importance of historical rights, international law and co-operation, while rejecting unilateral measures that could harm downstream states and recognising the development rights of upstream countries.
He praised Egypt’s leadership of the Council and pledged to align parliamentary initiatives with official Arab positions, drawing on the Parliament’s capabilities to defend water security and promote regional stability.
