“Al-Mashat”: Development Partners Provided Technical Support and Funding for Various Water Treatment and Desalination Projects within the National Water Resources Strategy
During the events of the seventh edition of Cairo Water Week, held under the patronage of H.E. President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, H.E. Dr. Rania A. Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation, signed the "EU Green Facility" initiative with Ambassador Christian Berger, Head of the EU Delegation to Egypt. The signing took place in the presence of Dr. Hani Sewilam, Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, and Dr. Florika Fink-Hooijer, Director of the Environment Department at the European Commission.
The initiative aims to enhance the green transition in Egypt as part of the "Team Europe" initiative, aligning with Egypt's development efforts and the country platform for the "NWFE" program, which connects water, food, and energy projects. This is intended to strengthen efforts to mitigate and adapt to climate change. Benefiting ministries include Water Resources and Irrigation, Agriculture and Land Reclamation, and Housing, Utilities, and Urban Communities.
The EU Green Facility seeks to support policy dialogue between Egypt and the EU in the areas of water activities and the green transition. It includes a comprehensive technical support package aimed at enhancing the country's capacity to develop sector strategies, improve governance in water sectors, and foster public-private partnerships. The initiative, which provides grants worth €7 million, supports Egypt's efforts in combating climate change.
In her remarks, H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat stated that the new initiative reinforces the strong partnership between Egypt and the EU to promote the transition to a green economy and support national priorities for implementing the National Climate Change Strategy 2050 and the Nationally Determined Contributions. H.E. emphasized that these efforts will result in increased green investments, ultimately leading to sustainable growth.
The Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation, further explained that the new initiative is an innovative mechanism to enhance policy dialogue and promote partnerships between the public and private sectors in water and green transition sectors, supporting national strategies in water and agricultural development. This will advance Egypt's green transition by leveraging European expertise and technical support, while also enhancing projects that promote water sustainability, improve agricultural practices, and contribute to climate change adaptation efforts.
H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat noted that these efforts complement the contributions of international financing institutions to support the water sector and food security in Egypt by providing technical support and funding for water desalination plants and establishing wastewater treatment facilities that conserve water resources for agricultural use. H.E. affirmed that the initiatives launched today with the EU highlight the shared commitment to continue efforts in climate action, support the green transition, and achieve economic development.
Ambassador Christian Berger, Head of the EU Delegation to Egypt, remarked that the EU Green Facility represents an important step forward in our partnership with Egypt to address global issues such as climate change and resource management. He emphasized the goal of ensuring a sustainable future for all while improving regional stability and economic development through investments in renewable energy, water conservation, and climate adaptation.
This partnership is expected to open new avenues for cooperation between the Arab Republic of Egypt and the EU, enhancing climate action, promoting a more sustainable economy, and supporting Egypt's adaptation to climate change while maximizing the use of natural resources. It also aims to strengthen institutional frameworks and empower government entities to lead the green transition, create green job opportunities, and promote innovation. This cooperation underscores the mutual European and Egyptian commitment to sustainable development and implementing climate initiatives, paving the way towards a resilient and environmentally conscious future.
It is noteworthy that in March, Egypt and the EU announced the elevation of their relations to a strategic partnership during the visit of the European Commission President to Egypt, where she signed a political declaration with H.E. President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to elevate relations, along with a financial package worth €7.4 billion to support development efforts and joint investments, including the promotion of green investments. Among the key areas of cooperation in the green transition is technical support for the National Green Hydrogen Strategy, as well as strengthening the energy pillar within the "NWFE" program to increase renewable energy projects.