A memorandum of understanding between Egypt and the Netherlands to enhance cooperation in water management and adaptation to climate change
Within the activities of the Seventh Cairo Water Week, Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation, Dr. Hani Sweilem, Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, and Mika van Gineken, the Dutch Special Envoy for Water, witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Egyptian General Authority for Coastal Protection and the Dutch Embassy in Cairo, to enhance Joint efforts in the field of water management and adaptation to climate change. The memorandum of understanding was signed by Dr. Essam Khalifa, Chairman of the Coastal Protection Authority, and Eva Wittman, Acting Dutch Ambassador to Cairo.
The signing of the memorandum of understanding comes within the framework of the close partnership between the Arab Republic of Egypt and the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and the long-term partnership between the two countries in various areas of development, most notably water. The memorandum of understanding strengthens the partnership between the two countries to adapt to climate change, especially in light of the negative effects caused by these changes. Changes to water and natural resources, by exploiting the technical, economic and administrative capabilities of government agencies and private sector companies on both sides, to continue supporting cooperation in the field of water management and adaptation to climate change.
The memorandum aims to conduct research on sand sources in the maritime border area of the Nile Delta in Egypt, to prepare feasibility studies for adaptation strategies that depend on nourishing coastal areas with sand.
In her speech, Al-Mashat praised , Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation, in partnership between the Netherlands and national bodies to support Egypt’s efforts in the field of climate change, stressing that climate changes are now having a major impact on development efforts in various countries, and therefore Egypt has launched a number of sectoral strategies in order to enhance climate action, And reducing the vulnerability of coastal areas to climate change, as the National Climate Change Strategy 2050, the National Sustainable Energy Strategy 2030, and the Nationally Determined Contributions were launched, as well as the National Water Strategy, as well as implementing structural reforms aimed at bringing the private sector into the areas of green transformation.
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She continued that in this regard, the Ministry of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation continues to strengthen international partnerships aimed at supporting the green transformation and enhancing mitigation and adaptation efforts to climate change, whether through initiatives that stimulate emerging companies. And small and medium-sized enterprises locally, regionally and internationally, or through programs and projects implemented on the ground. In this regard, the COP27 climate conference in Egypt represented a turning point in our relations with development partners to support climate action efforts.
The Minister of Planning stated that the national platform for the “Novi” program includes 9 priority projects in the fields of mitigation and adaptation, in the water, food, and energy sectors, as the program contributes to mobilizing climate investments, grants, and innovative mechanisms to support adaptation. Coastal areas with climate changes, expanding early warning systems, increasing renewable energy capabilities, and preparing small farmers to deal with climate changes, which ultimately reflects on comprehensive economic development in Egypt.
< p>The Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation indicated Egypt’s keenness to strengthen cooperation with the Netherlands in the field of water, a cooperation that dates back to the seventies of the last century with the establishment of the Egyptian-Dutch Advisory Council, which has resulted in many successes and the exchange of experiences in the field of water, and the implementation of the “Programme.” Applied research between Egypt and the Netherlands" Water-JCAR as a model of successful applied research cooperation between the two sides, which resulted in a number of important research studies.
Suwailem added that climate changes have become a reality that we see in many extreme climate phenomena that occur. It affects coastal areas, which requires taking effective measures to deal with this challenge through implementing projects that protect Egyptian beaches from these effects.
Sweilem stressed that Egypt will continue to implement projects. Adapting to climate changes and protecting coastal areas from their negative impacts, noting that Egypt has implemented a pioneering project to protect Egypt’s northern coasts, which is the project “Enhancing Adaptation to Climate Changes in the Northern Coast and the Nile River Delta.” Which is considered one of the most prominent projects at the global level that relies on environmentally friendly natural materials to protect beaches. The Ministry is also studying the use of environmentally friendly materials in canal rehabilitation work, explaining that the study of transporting sand from the marine delta region and using it to protect beaches comes within the framework of Going to use natural, environmentally friendly methods to protect beaches as much as possible.
