During the Cairo Water Week, held under the esteemed patronage of His Excellency President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat and EU Ambassador Christian Berger officially launched the “Team Europe Initiative.” This initiative represents a significant advancement in the collaborative efforts between Egypt and the European Union, focusing on promoting the green transition in the vital sectors of water, agriculture, and rural development.
The Cairo Water Week, taking place from October 13 to 17, 2024, is themed “Water and Climate: Building Resilient Communities.” This event serves as a platform for addressing urgent global water challenges and enhancing cooperation between nations. The launch event was well-attended, featuring prominent figures such as Dr. Hani Sewilam, Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, and Dr. Florika Fink-Hooijer, Director of the Environment Department at the European Commission. Additionally, representatives from the EU government, various officials, and European financing institutions, including the European Investment Bank and EU member states, were present, highlighting the collaborative spirit of the initiative.
The “Team Europe Initiative” aims to tackle pressing environmental challenges and foster rural development by addressing the critical issues faced by the agricultural and water sectors. The initiative emphasizes support for adapting to climate change, which poses significant risks to these sectors. To achieve its goals, the initiative will assist the Egyptian government in implementing the National Water Resources Plan through 2037, thereby enhancing strategic dialogue between partners, providing technical support to the water sector, and creating a more resilient food system. Additionally, it seeks to improve the livelihoods of rural communities, support small farmers, enhance natural resource management, empower youth, and promote digital transformation.
In her remarks, H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat underscored that the “Team Europe Initiative” symbolizes the ongoing and robust partnership between Egypt and the EU. She emphasized that this initiative is a vital step toward enhancing both water and food security, which are essential for achieving inclusive and sustainable economic development in Egypt. The Minister elaborated on how these efforts align seamlessly with the country platform of the “NWFE” program, launched by Egypt during the COP27 climate conference. The “NWFE” program serves as a comprehensive platform aimed at fostering green investments across water, food, and energy sectors by mobilizing innovative financing mechanisms and attracting private investments.
H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat noted that since the inception of the “NWFE” program in 2022, the Ministry has worked intensively with relevant national entities and development partners to prepare the necessary technical frameworks and mobilize funding and private sector investments to support crucial climate mitigation and adaptation efforts. This collaborative approach is vital for addressing the pressing challenges posed by climate change and ensuring the sustainability of Egypt’s natural resources.
The Minister also highlighted the significance of the water sector, identifying it as a priority area for the state. She pointed out that it accounts for 20% of the development cooperation portfolio between Egypt and its multilateral and bilateral development partners. This portfolio includes 43 projects focused on water management, wastewater treatment, and desalination, all aimed at supporting national strategies in addressing water scarcity and climate change.
In his remarks, Ambassador Christian Berger emphasized that the new initiative aims to pave the way for a resilient and sustainable future for Egypt. He reiterated that the initiative aligns with the European Union’s ongoing efforts in partnership with the Egyptian government in the realm of climate action. This collaboration is seen as a continuation of the joint declaration to establish a sustainable water partnership, which was signed with Egypt during the COP28 climate conference in the United Arab Emirates. The Ambassador stressed that this initiative underscores the EU’s commitment to supporting Egypt in its efforts to build resilience and ensure sustainable development in the face of climate challenges.