Egypt’s Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Hany Sweilam yesterday met with Micky Van Ginneken, the newly appointed Dutch Special Envoy for Water on the sidelines of World Water Week in Stockholm, Sweden.
The minister commended the success of Egypt and the Netherlands during the COP27 conference in putting water at the top of the global climate agenda.
Egypt is keen to work with Netherlands during COP28 conference in the United Arab Emirates later this year, the minister said.
The minister also referred to the Egyptian-Dutch Consultative Council to be held on the sidelines of the 6th Cairo Water Week in October.
Sweilam also invited the Dutch side to the high-level session organised by Egypt and Japan on the sidelines of the water week conference to present the results of the dialogue on water and climate.
Egypt is working with Japan and UK on a report to the Secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in order to build on the achievements in the water file during COP27 and to continue integrating water issues into global climate discussions.
Sweilam also met with Saroj Kumar Jha, Global Director for the World Bank Group’s Water Global Practice (GP).
During the meeting, the minister spoke of the important role of global development partners in funding African technical capabilities and infrastructure.
Sweilam went on to speak of the need for innovative solutions to water challenges in the African continent.
Sweilam reviewed water projects carried out by Egypt, including the lining of the canals with environmentally friendly techniques.
He also referred to the important role of the World Bank in providing technical support for the development of water sector in Egypt.
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