Egypt Daily News – A consultative meeting of the Foreign and Water Ministers of Sudan and Egypt was held today in Cairo, with the participation of technical experts from both sides. The discussions took place in a friendly and positive atmosphere characterized by mutual understanding.
Enhancing Water Cooperation and Shared Interests
The two sides reviewed areas of water cooperation and ways to enhance them to serve the interests of both nations. They agreed to strengthen the concept of water security and work jointly to fully preserve their water rights in accordance with existing agreements and applicable international law. Additionally, they pledged to coordinate their positions in regional and international forums, particularly those related to their water rights, emphasizing the need to uphold all agreements and legal frameworks.
Both sides stressed that Sudanese and Egyptian water security are inseparable and called for all parties to refrain from unilateral actions that could harm their water interests. They reaffirmed their commitment to working with the Nile Basin Initiative countries to restore consensus and maintain the initiative’s founding principles, recognizing it as a comprehensive cooperation mechanism that benefits all member states.
To support these efforts, the two countries agreed to organize a high-level workshop with the participation of relevant regional and international organizations to discuss water-related issues and their impact on various sectors, such as climate change and security in the Horn of Africa.
The GERD Issue: The Need for a Legally Binding Agreement
The discussions also covered developments regarding the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). The two sides agreed on the serious risks associated with Ethiopia’s unilateral first filling of the dam, particularly concerning dam safety. They stressed the importance of coordinating efforts at the regional, continental, and international levels to reach a comprehensive, fair, and legally binding agreement on the filling and operation of GERD.
Egypt and Sudan emphasized that the GERD issue remains a matter between the three concerned countries Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia, without involving other Nile Basin states in the dispute. Both countries reaffirmed their commitment to seeking peaceful and political solutions to the crisis.
Development and Reconstruction Efforts
The talks also explored ways to enhance joint development projects, which would positively impact sectoral cooperation and its advancement. The Sudanese side provided an overview of the country’s priorities in the reconstruction process, particularly in sectors related to water, such as agriculture and hydroelectric power.
Sudan expressed its desire for an active Egyptian role in implementing the decisions of the 16th session of the Arab Ministerial Water Council, specifically in supporting Sudan’s water sector, improving water supply in certain states, and rebuilding water infrastructure damaged by the rebel Rapid Support Forces.
In response, Egypt reaffirmed its support for Sudan’s reconstruction efforts, welcoming joint cooperation to assist the sector in Sudan and backing Sudan’s endeavors to mobilize the necessary Arab support to implement the council’s resolutions.
Joint Nile Water Governance and Institutional Coordination
Both sides commended the outcomes of the extraordinary meeting of the Permanent Joint Technical Committee on Nile Water, held at the committee’s Cairo office on February 23, 2025. They reaffirmed the importance of the recommendations made regarding shared concerns, particularly the Nile Basin Initiative and its consultative mechanism for non-signatory countries.
They reiterated that, under the 1959 Nile Waters Agreement, the committee is the official body responsible for formulating a unified position adopted by both countries on Nile water matters.
Training and Capacity Building
The two sides also agreed to continue cooperation in training between their respective Ministries of Water Resources and Irrigation. Egypt welcomed Sudan’s urgent training needs for its Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation personnel, recognizing their crucial role in Sudan’s reconstruction efforts. The training programs will be tailored based on the outcomes of joint committee meetings on reconstruction.
Strengthening Bilateral Relations
Finally, the discussions covered broader bilateral relations, with both sides reaffirming their commitment to deepening and strengthening the historical ties between the Egyptian and Sudanese peoples.
