Latest news with #HaniSewilam
Egypt Independent
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Egypt Independent
Irrigation Min Stresses Importance Of Technical Cooperation Among African Countries in Water Field
Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Hani Sewilam reaffirmed Egypt's continued commitment to strengthening African unity, fostering cooperation and exchanging technical expertise among African nations in the field of water resources management. During a meeting with a delegation from the Committee on Agriculture and Environment of Namibia's National Council, led by Paulus N. Mbangu, Member of Parliament and Deputy Chair of the Committee, the minister said, all efforts contribute to the advancement of Africa's Agenda 2063, under the vision of 'The Africa We Want'. The meeting was also attended by Abdel-Salam al-Gebaly, Chairman of the Agriculture and Irrigation Committee of the Egyptian Senate, the committee's deputy chairman Mohamed el-Sebaey and Noha Zaki, Secretary of the Senate's Energy, Environment and Manpower Committee, along with senior officials from the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation. Sewilam reaffirmed Egypt's commitment to strengthening its cooperation with Namibia under the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the two countries in November 2023, which focusing on sustainable management and development of water resources. Meantime, the minister underscored the importance of ongoing efforts to develop joint projects aligned with the shared priorities of both countries, particularly in the areas of groundwater management and coastal protection. He also underlined the opportunities available for Namibia to benefit from capacity-building programs and training courses provided by the Pan-African Center for Water and Climate Adaptation (PACWA). The minister outlined principal challenges facing Egypt's water sector, including limited water availability, rapid population growth and the detrimental effects of climate change. In response to these challenges, Egypt has accelerated its initiatives to treat and reuse wastewater for agricultural purposes, adopting this as a strategic approach to narrow the gap between constrained water resources and increasing demand, he further noted. Egypt has expanded reliance on treatment and reuse of agricultural drainage water to reduce the gap between available water resources and demand, as well as to import agricultural crops from abroad equivalent to 33.5 billion cubic meters of water annually, said the minister. He also pointed out to the necessity of shifting to modern irrigation systems due to their role in rationalizing water consumption, increasing crop productivity, and improving quality, while the ministry continues to monitor farmers' compliance with using modern irrigation systems in sandy lands. Sewilam underscored the essential role of transitioning to modern irrigation systems, emphasizing their significant contribution to water conservation, boosting crop productivity, and enhancing the quality of agricultural output. He said his ministry is actively monitoring farmers' compliance with modern irrigation practices, especially in sandy and reclaimed lands, to ensure the efficient use of water resources. The minister highlighted the critical role of scientific research, innovation, and advanced technology in effective water management, stressing the need to strengthen collaboration between Egypt's National Water Research Center (NWRC) and relevant research institutions in Namibia. It is noteworthy that the Namibian delegation is visiting Egypt to draw upon its pioneering expertise in water management and agricultural development. During their visit, the delegation toured the NWRC, the Irrigation Museum and the Water Science Cultural Center in Qanater al-Khayriya, as well as an exemplary modern irrigation project along the Mansouriya Canal in Giza governorate. The visit also included a meeting with local water users' associations in the region.
Zawya
07-07-2025
- Climate
- Zawya
Egypt accelerates coastal protection projects amid rising climate threats
Egypt is stepping up efforts to safeguard its Mediterranean coastline—particularly in the historic city of Alexandria—in response to the growing threat of climate change, Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Hani Sewilam announced on Sunday. During a meeting to assess ongoing projects, Sewilam underscored the urgent need for clear policies and practical measures to address the escalating impacts of climate change. He called for stronger coordination between executive bodies and scientific institutions, both within and beyond the ministry, to develop data-driven, systematic responses. The minister instructed key agencies—including the Shore Protection Authority, the National Water Research Center, and the Planning Sector—to maintain close monitoring of climate trends and extreme weather patterns affecting Egypt's northern coastal zones and the Nile Delta, to enable timely preventive action. According to a statement from the ministry, the first phase of the Alexandria Coast Protection Project is currently underway. It covers a 2-kilometre stretch from Bi'r Masoud to El-Mahrousa. The second phase, which spans 600 metres, is designed to reinforce the Corniche wall and roadway in the Loran district, while also restoring the adjacent sandy beach. Other initiatives include the construction of wave breakers in front of the naval forces' facility in Ras El Bar, located in Damietta Governorate, and the continuation of coastal protection works on Al-Obayed beach in Matrouh as part of a second-phase intervention. In addition, the ministry confirmed the completion of the tendering process for four new coastal protection projects targeting low-lying areas in the governorates of Beheira, Kafr El-Sheikh, and Damietta—regions considered especially vulnerable to sea level rise and coastal erosion.
Daily News Egypt
06-07-2025
- Climate
- Daily News Egypt
Egypt accelerates coastal protection projects amid rising climate threats
Egypt is stepping up efforts to safeguard its Mediterranean coastline—particularly in the historic city of Alexandria—in response to the growing threat of climate change, Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Hani Sewilam announced on Sunday. During a meeting to assess ongoing projects, Sewilam underscored the urgent need for clear policies and practical measures to address the escalating impacts of climate change. He called for stronger coordination between executive bodies and scientific institutions, both within and beyond the ministry, to develop data-driven, systematic responses. The minister instructed key agencies—including the Shore Protection Authority, the National Water Research Center, and the Planning Sector—to maintain close monitoring of climate trends and extreme weather patterns affecting Egypt's northern coastal zones and the Nile Delta, to enable timely preventive action. According to a statement from the ministry, the first phase of the Alexandria Coast Protection Project is currently underway. It covers a 2-kilometre stretch from Bi'r Masoud to El-Mahrousa. The second phase, which spans 600 metres, is designed to reinforce the Corniche wall and roadway in the Loran district, while also restoring the adjacent sandy beach. Other initiatives include the construction of wave breakers in front of the naval forces' facility in Ras El Bar, located in Damietta Governorate, and the continuation of coastal protection works on Al-Obayed beach in Matrouh as part of a second-phase intervention. In addition, the ministry confirmed the completion of the tendering process for four new coastal protection projects targeting low-lying areas in the governorates of Beheira, Kafr El-Sheikh, and Damietta—regions considered especially vulnerable to sea level rise and coastal erosion.
Al-Ahram Weekly
03-07-2025
- Politics
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Egypt firmly rejects Ethiopia unilateral GERD measures as 'violation of international law' - Foreign Affairs
Minister of Water Resources Hani Sewilam expressed Egypt's firm rejection of Ethiopia's repeated imposition of unilateral measures related to the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) and the Nile River, following the Ethiopian prime minister's announcement on Thursday that the multi-billion-dollar mega-dam on the Blue Nile is complete and will be officially inaugurated in September. Minister Sewilam described the Ethiopian measures as a clear violation of international law, particularly the rules related to the fair and equitable use of international waterways and the prohibition of causing harm to neighbouring countries. Sewilam made his remarks during a meeting on Thursday with several ambassadors assigned to head Egyptian diplomatic missions abroad, in the presence of Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty. During the meeting, the minister noted that the Ethiopian side has persistently promoted the idea of finalizing the dam, despite its illegality and contravention of international law. "Ethiopia took these measures without a binding agreement with the downstream countries and despite substantial concerns expressed by Egypt and Sudan," Sewilam said. He condemned these measures as attempts to impose water dominance instead of adopting the principles of partnership and cooperation. He added that Ethiopia's repeated calls to resume negotiations are merely formal attempts to preserve its international image as a party willing to negotiate. However, he stressed that the failure to reach a binding legal agreement for over thirteen years indicates Ethiopia's lack of political will and seriousness, as well as insincerity, regarding these calls. He affirmed that Ethiopia's evasive actions, backtracking, and imposing facts on the ground contradict its declared willingness to negotiate, a position the international community must recognize. On the other hand, Sewilam highlighted Egypt's sincere political commitment to reaching a legally binding agreement that achieves common interests and prevents harm to downstream countries. However, the Ethiopian side's lack of political will has always hindered these efforts, he asserted. Sewilam also reiterated Egypt's keenness to enhance cooperation with African countries, especially Nile Basin states, by supporting development and water projects. In this respect, he highlighted the financing mechanism Egypt has launched, including dedicated funds for studying and implementing development and infrastructure projects in the Southern Nile Basin countries. Furthermore, Sewilam reviewed the state's efforts to bridge the gap between water resources and needs by implementing major projects for treating agricultural drainage water (New Delta, Bahr El-Baqar, El-Mohassema), developing irrigation systems, water management, and other measures aimed at fulfilling water needs and addressing climate change challenges. He also highlighted Egypt's support for African countries through various projects, including waterway cleaning, rainwater harvesting dams, solar wells, rainfall forecasting centres, and water quality monitoring. Egypt also provided them with training and scholarships at Egyptian universities, as well as through the African Water and Climate Adaptation Centre and the Hydraulics Research Institute. "Egypt possesses distinguished water management expertise, which it is keen to share with African countries, especially Nile Basin states," Sewilam noted. The total rainfall in the Nile Basin amounts to approximately 1,600 billion cubic metres annually, and the total rainfall in Nile Basin countries, within the Nile Basin or in other river basins within these countries, reaches about 7,000 billion cubic metres per year. However, Egypt's water share is only 55.5 billion cubic metres. For his part, Abdelatty expressed his appreciation for the ongoing cooperation between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation. Both ministries have overlapping responsibilities regarding the water file, which is linked to national security. They also collaborate with international partners to address water scarcity, enhance capacity building, and facilitate the transfer of technology. Days ago, Abdelatty described water security as Egypt's sole existential threat, stressing that the country's historical Nile water rights are non-negotiable. Between 2020 and 2024, Ethiopia unilaterally completed the dam's five-stage filling and began operating two turbines, without an agreement with its downstream nations, Egypt and Sudan. In December 2023, Cairo announced the end of negotiations, citing Ethiopia's refusal to engage in proposed legal or technical solutions. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Asharq Al-Awsat
28-06-2025
- Business
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Egypt Strengthens Cooperation with Africa to Tackle Water Challenges
Egypt is continuing to strengthen its cooperation with African nations to confront the pressing challenges of water and food security. 'Water issues are a shared challenge that grows more severe due to climate change and resource scarcity, especially given Egypt's near-total dependence on Nile water,' Egyptian Minister of Irrigation Hani Sewilam said, according to an official statement by the Egyptian Cabinet on Friday. Speaking on behalf of the Prime Minister during a celebration at the Djibouti Embassy in Cairo marking Djibouti's 48th independence anniversary, Sewilam emphasized that cross-border cooperation, rooted in principles of international law, is the optimal path to ensure sustainable water resources. Egypt frequently raises the issue of water security, particularly amid the ongoing crisis over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, which Ethiopia has built on the main tributary of the Nile since 2011 to generate electricity. Egypt and Sudan fear it will impact their water shares. Ambassador Salah Halima, former Assistant Foreign Minister and Deputy Chairman of the Egyptian Council for African Affairs, stressed that water security is closely linked to river management and dam operations. He told Asharq Al-Awsat that Egypt consistently underscores the importance of respecting international laws and agreements on managing water resources and criticized Ethiopia's unilateral actions to impose a de facto situation regarding the dam. Halima added that achieving water security requires cooperation among states in managing water resources and constructing dams, noting that Egypt has valuable experience African nations can benefit from. Egypt faces a water deficit estimated at 30 billion cubic meters annually. Its share of Nile water amounts to 55.5 billion cubic meters per year, while consumption exceeds 85 billion cubic meters. The shortfall is covered by groundwater extraction, seawater desalination projects, and recycling agricultural drainage water, according to the Ministry of Irrigation. On Friday, Sewilam highlighted the longstanding ties between Egypt and Djibouti as an example of cooperation amid complex regional and global challenges requiring greater unity and shared vision. He noted that the regional and international context demands an understanding of the magnitude of challenges, ranging from security and peace to sustainable development and socio-economic stability, especially in the Arab and African regions. Egypt is finalizing a memorandum of understanding with Djibouti's Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources to cooperate in fields such as integrated water resources management, desalination technologies, groundwater recharge, capacity building, knowledge exchange, and joint research. In parallel, Egyptian Minister of Agriculture Alaa Farouk reaffirmed Egypt's commitment to working with African countries to develop more efficient, inclusive, and sustainable agricultural value chains. Speaking during FAO meetings in Rome, he said that strengthening these chains is central to food security, economic growth, and job creation, particularly in rural areas. Farouk also discussed promoting Egyptian investment in Africa to boost agricultural development and food security across the continent.
