Egypt Foreign Minister Discusses Water Security and Development Financing

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty hosted separate meetings in Cairo on Tuesday with international officials to address national water security and development financing. The talks took place on the sidelines of the ninth Cairo Water Week, highlighting Egypt’s ongoing efforts to secure resources and investment.

Water Security and Global Cooperation

Abdelatty met with Retno Marsudi, the UN Special Envoy on Water, to discuss preparations for the 2026 UN Water Conference. The Foreign Minister emphasized Egypt’s need to collaborate with international partners to ensure the conference delivers practical outcomes for global water agendas. He outlined Egypt’s current strategies for managing water scarcity, including irrigation modernization, increased treatment, and water conservation efforts.

The discussion also touched on transboundary rivers, with a specific focus on the Nile. Abdelatty stated that Egypt supports cooperation among riparian states and equitable benefit-sharing. He reiterated Cairo’s opposition to unilateral actions regarding river management, calling for adherence to international law and principles that prevent harm to downstream nations.

Expanding Economic Partnerships

In a separate meeting, Abdelatty discussed development finance with Gelsomina Vigliotti, Vice-President of the European Investment Bank (EIB). The two officials reviewed the history of cooperation between the bank and Egypt, which spans 141 projects since 1979.

The talks covered potential financing for projects in energy, transport, health, and food security. Abdelatty noted that EIB-funded food security initiatives are essential for helping Egypt mitigate disruptions in global supply chains. Vigliotti confirmed the bank’s interest in expanding its portfolio in the country, specifically regarding infrastructure and support for small and medium-sized enterprises.