Egypt, Iraq seek to strengthen cooperation in water resources management

Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Hani Sewilam underscored the longstanding historical and fraternal ties between Egypt and Iraq, reaffirming Cairo’s commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation to help both countries address water challenges and improve water management efficiency.

Sewilam made the remarks during a meeting with Iraqi Minister of Water Resources Muthanna Al-Tamimi on the sidelines of the ninth Cairo Water Week.

The talks focused on expanding bilateral cooperation and exchanging expertise in water resources management and irrigation.

The two ministers reviewed progress in implementing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between their ministries, which establishes a framework for cooperation in water resources and river basin management, modern irrigation, water treatment and reuse, water quality improvement, aquatic weed control, coastal protection, training and capacity building.

Both sides stressed the importance of advancing implementation of the MoU and translating its provisions into practical programs and activities.

They also underlined the role of the joint steering committee in following up on implementation.

Sewilam highlighted progress in training cooperation, notably the first training program organized for Iraqi participants under the title “Non-Conventional Water Resources Management.”

The two-week program was attended by 19 Iraqi trainees at the Regional Training Center for Water Resources and Irrigation.

He reaffirmed Egypt’s readiness to share its expertise and successful practices with Iraq in modern water resources management, irrigation system development, agricultural drainage water treatment and reuse, and the application of advanced technologies.

These include artificial intelligence, remote sensing, geographic information systems (GIS), telemetry systems and unmanned aerial vehicles, which can support decision-making and improve the operational efficiency of water systems.

Sewilam also affirmed the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation’s readiness to meet Iraq’s technical and training needs through expertise exchange and specialized training programs and workshops.

He welcomed a visit by an Iraqi delegation to learn about Egypt’s experience in irrigation, the management of barrages, pumping stations and hydropower plants, canal rehabilitation, and wastewater treatment.

The visit would create broader opportunities for practical cooperation and mutual benefit from the two countries’ expertise, he said.

The ninth Cairo Water Week features broad participation by international and regional organizations, which are organizing technical and scientific sessions and sponsoring competitions across a total of 137 sessions.

Participating organizations include the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the European Union, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the International Water Management Institute (IWMI), the Inter-Islamic Network on Water Resources Development and Management (INWRDAM), the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), and the World Water Council, reflecting the event’s expanding partnerships.