Egypt and Japan want to strengthen their cooperation in the water sector in the face of current climate-related challenges. The authorities of the two countries made this commitment at a meeting in Egypt on 11 June 2023.
At a time when the sensitivity of water to the effects of climate change is forcing Egypt to use this resource sustainably and rationally, the government of the land of the pharaohs is counting on Japan’s support to strengthen its efforts to help its people adapt to climate change, particularly in the face of water stress caused by drought.
Egypt’s Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, Hani Sweilam, recently invited the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to support the international Action on Water, Adaptation, and Resilience (AWARe) initiative in Egypt. Launched by the Egyptian government at the 27th Conference of the Parties on Climate Change (COP 27) in November 2022 in Sharm el-Sheikh, the initiative aims to reduce global water wastage and improve water supply, while supporting the implementation of mutually agreed policies and methods for water-related cooperative adaptation. AWARe also takes into account the importance of protecting freshwater ecosystems and ensuring that economic growth does not have a negative impact on the use of freshwater.
Building the capacity of technicians
Strengthening the partnership with Japan would also enable Egypt to accelerate the “Enhancing Water Productivity in Agriculture” project, recently launched in partnership with the Japanese government and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). This initiative aims to increase the agricultural productivity of smallholders, use natural agricultural resources sustainably and improve the skills of smallholders in implementing smart water management practices.
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A feasibility study is also underway to improve water resource management on the Al-Qasid canal in the governorate of Gharbia and the Ibrahimia and Bahr Youssef canals in the governorates of Minya, Beni Suef and Fayoum, with a grant from the Japanese side. The study report is nearing completion, according to Daily News Egypt.
The Egyptian government’s objective is also to improve the efficiency and capacity of engineers and technicians in the Mechanical and Electrical Department in the field of pumping station operation and maintenance. To this end, a memorandum of understanding has already been signed between the Egypt ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation’s Department of Mechanics and Electricity and JICA.
Inès Magoum
