Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Hani Sewilam met in Japan on Tuesday with the Japanese Prime Minister’s Special Envoy to the 2026 United Nations Water Conference Yoko Kamikawa to discuss closer Egyptian-Japanese coordination in preparations for the global event.
During the meeting, the minister reviewed joint preparations for the Conference, will take place from 8-10 December, 2026, in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). with a particular focus on the “Water and the Planet” interactive dialogue, which Egypt and Japan will co-chair.
Minister Sewilam praised the strong partnership between the two countries, highlighting the close co-operation, transparency and mutual trust that have characterised preparations for the interactive dialogue.
The minister welcomed the outcomes of the recent High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, noting the broad consensus on the priorities of the “Water and the Planet” dialogue.
He said the joint statement presented by Egypt and Japan during the forum, together with consultations with UN member states and development partners, helped shape the conference’s implementation agenda.
The two sides also reviewed progress in developing flagship initiatives to be launched during the 2026 UN Water Conference.
Sewilam reaffirmed Egypt’s commitment to maintaining close coordination with Japan on the conference process and its expected outcomes to sustain international co-operation on water issues in the lead-up to the 2028 UN Water Conference.
The meeting also discussed preparations for the Ninth Cairo Water Week, which will take place from October 25 to 29.
Sewilam welcomed Kamikawa’s participation in the event, describing it as an important milestone for finalising coordination among the co-chairs of the conference’s interactive dialogues and key partners ahead of the 2026 UN Water Conference. He said the gathering would help complete preparations and enhance the prospects for a successful conference capable of achieving its objectives.
