Ambassador Berger Remarks at the Closure of Cairo Water Week 2024

7THCairo Water Week 2024

Closing Event

17October 2024

Remarks by

Ambassador Christian Berger,

Head of the EU Delegation to Egypt

Your Excellency Prof. Hani Sweilem, Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation;

Your Excellency Counselor Mahmoud Fawzy, Minister of Parliamentary, Legal Affairs and Political Communication;

Your Excellencies, ministers, ambassadors, distinguished guests, water friends and water users;

As we come together at the closing of this extraordinary event, the combined 7th Cairo Water Weekand 9th African Water Week, I want to recognise the evolution of Cairo Water Weeksince its inception in 2018. It has grown into a significant international platform for addressing global water challenges. What started as a national event has now become a major platform for global water diplomacy. It has successfully built momentum and attracted leaders, experts, and stakeholders to tackle one of the most critical issues of our time: water security.

Since its inception, Cairo Water Weekhas demonstrated an exceptional ability to address the most pressing water challenges facing Egypt, Africa, and the world. As a co-organizer, the European Unionhas been deeply committed to ensuring that the outcome of CWW contributes to sustainable water management on a global scale, in line with our vision for resilient, equitable, and secure access to water.

This event also reaffirms Egypt's aspiration to become a regional knowledge hub for integrated water resource management.Over the course of this week, we have discussed solutions, exchanged knowledge, and formed partnerships that will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact. Allow me to highlight three key outcomes:

1. Building Regional and Global Partnerships and stressing the importance of cooperation in water management across borders. The collective dialogue on transboundary water management, water governance, and joint resource sharing has laid the foundation for stronger cooperation within the African continent, and beyond.

2. Innovative Solutions for Water Scarcity and Climate Resilience:We saw an unprecedented focus on digital tools, climate-smart solutions, and the integration of desalination, wastewater reuse, and sustainable irrigation technologies. These are critical for enhancing climate resilience and ensuring that water resources are managed sustainably amid increasing demand and climate variability.

3. Commitment to Capacity Building and Knowledge Sharing:Multiple sessions underscored the need for enhanced training, education, and research in water management. Investing in people, especially young professionals and women, is essential to ensuring that countries have the expertise to implement integrated water management solutions.

For us from the EU the week has been a defining moment in achieving the following

1. Strengthened Regional and Transboundary Cooperation:A defining achievement and further consolidation of regional partnerships on water governance. Also, the Steering Committee of EU-Egypt Joint Partnership on Water will ensure sustained collaboration between Egypt and the EU, promoting the efficient management of shared water resources. This partnership aligns with the goals of the EU-Egypt Strategic and Comprehensive Partnership, reinforcing our shared commitment to addressing transboundary water issues.

2. Financial Commitments for Sustainable Water Management:wesigned a 7-million-euro EU Green Facilityas another landmark accomplishment. This facility will provide essential funding for innovative projects focused on water efficiency, climate resilience, and sustainable infrastructure, supporting Egypt's journey toward a greener and more secure water future.

3. Launch of the Team Europe Initiative for Integrated Water and Food Security which emphasises the deep connections between water governance and food security. This initiative will focus on implementing integrated solutions that tackle both water scarcity and agricultural sustainability, particularly in regions vulnerable to climate change. The EU remains committed to advancing these solutions in line with Egypt's national priorities and our shared vision for sustainable development.

This year's Cairo Water Weekis not an isolated event; it is part of a larger, ongoing conversation about global water security. The outcomes of this week will feed directly into future high-level events, including the World Water Forum and the UN 2025 Water Conference. By fostering transboundary cooperation and promoting innovative solutions, the discussions held here will resonate across the international water agenda, ensuring that the priorities set in Cairo are addressed on the global stage.

Our progress here also prepares us for further involvement in other significant water events, such as Africa Climate Week and COP29, where water will remain central to discussions about climate resilience and adaptation. The knowledge and recommendations we have gathered this week will help shape the dialogues in these fora, contributing to a stronger global water governance framework.

I am pleased to announce that, in partnership with the Egyptian Ministry of Water Resources, the EUwill launch a series of high level dialogues under the theme "Road to Cairo Water Week." These dialogues, under the Team Europe approach and in line with the Joint Declaration for Water Partnership, will ensure that the recommendations gained from this week are actively implemented and followed up.

Throughout the previous editions of Cairo Water Week we have gathered over 10.000 participants from 70 countries, representing governments, international organizations, research institutions, civil society, and the private sector. This strong participation highlights the significance of our joint events aiming to establish a global platform for water security and investments. Throughout the 7 editions we hosted more than 20 regional events, addressing a wide range of topics from Integrated Water ResourceManagement to linking investments with SDGs and climate-smart innovations in water management. The outcomes of these discussions undoubtedly guide policy and actions.

As we conclude this year's Cairo Water Weekand African Water Week, it is clear that we are leaving with much more than we came with. We have forged new partnerships, committed significant resources, and laid the foundation for innovative solutions to water and food security challenges.

The European Unionremains deeply committed to continuing this work alongside Egypt and our global partners. Together, we will ensure that the lessons and recommendations from this week translate into real actions that benefit not only Egypt and Africa but the world as a whole.

Dear Minister, allow me to thank you personally for your dedication and leadership from day one, your team and everyone involved in organising this event. My special thanks to the colleagues from EU Member States, EFIs and of course the EU Delegation, and the great group of EU volunteers, for making this a great success.

Thank you to you all, and I look forward to the results of our joint efforts as we move forward on this journey toward a water-secure and resilient future.

Public link

Please use the above public link if you want to share this noodl on another website.