Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty recently held separate meetings in Cairo with UN Special Envoy on Water Retno Marsudi and European Investment Bank (EIB) Vice-President Gelsomina Vigliotti. The meetings focused on water security, preparations for the 2026 UN Water Conference, and expanded development financing in Egypt. These discussions took place on the sidelines of the ninth Cairo Water Week, highlighting Egypt's commitment to addressing water management and sustainable development.
During his meeting with Marsudi, Abdelatty emphasized Egypt's eagerness to coordinate with the United Nations to ensure the success of the 2026 UN Water Conference. He outlined Egypt's water-scarcity challenges and measures to address them, including water conservation, expanded treatment and reuse, and irrigation modernization. Abdelatty also stressed the importance of stronger international cooperation, technology transfer, and capacity building to effectively manage water resources.
The meeting with Marsudi also touched on transboundary rivers, particularly the Nile. Abdelatty reiterated Egypt's support for cooperation among riparian states and the equitable sharing of benefits. He emphasized Cairo's rejection of unilateral measures that could affect the rights and interests of downstream states, calling for adherence to international law, including prior notification and the principle of avoiding harm.
In a separate meeting, Abdelatty received EIB Vice-President Gelsomina Vigliotti to discuss expanding the bank's portfolio in Egypt. The two sides reviewed cooperation between Egypt and the EIB, which dates back to 1979 and has covered 141 projects in the public and private sectors. Abdelatty and Vigliotti discussed financing for projects in energy, health, transport, water, and food security, as well as support for the private sector and small and medium-sized enterprises.
The talks with Vigliotti also addressed the economic impact of regional military escalation, with Abdelatty reiterating the government's commitment to economic and structural reforms. These reforms aim to improve the investment climate and strengthen economic resilience. Abdelatty highlighted an EIB-funded food security project, saying it would help strengthen Egypt's ability to cope with disruptions to global supply chains.
Vigliotti reviewed EIB-backed projects in Egypt, including those involving infrastructure, environmental protection, and support for small and medium-sized enterprises. She expressed interest in continuing to expand cooperation with Egypt, underscoring the EIB's commitment to supporting the country's development goals. The discussions also covered the bank's role in financing projects that address Egypt's water security challenges.
The meetings with Marsudi and Vigliotti reflect Egypt's proactive approach to addressing water security and development financing. By engaging with international partners, Egypt aims to leverage expertise and resources to tackle its water scarcity challenges and promote sustainable development. The country's commitment to cooperation and reform is seen as crucial in achieving these goals and ensuring a more resilient future.
Key points
- Egypt's FM Badr Abdelatty met with UN and EIB officials to discuss water security and development financing.
- The meetings focused on preparations for the 2026 UN Water Conference and expanding the EIB's portfolio in Egypt.
- Egypt emphasized its commitment to cooperation and reform to address water scarcity challenges and promote sustainable development.
