The governments of Egypt and German have held discussions centered on enhancing cooperation in water resource management between the two nations.
The meeting which was held between Egypt’s Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, Hani Sweilem, and Mario Sander, Head of the Middle East and North Africa Department at the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development involved the upcoming launch of the Fourth National Drainage Program, which will focus on renewing covered drainage across 1.4 million acres of land. The officials also discussed a feasibility study regarding coastal protection along 15 kilometers east of the Kitchener Drain outlet in Kafr El-Sheikh Governorate.
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Modern irrigation
Further discussions covered the progress of the JISA Water System and Irrigation Project, which is financed by the German Development Bank (KfW). Plans were made to expand this initiative to include improvements to the Ismailia Canal bridges, upgrades to water infrastructure in the eastern Khandaq and Marqus Coast canals in the West Beheira Irrigation Department, and enhancements to the Qota Canal in Fayoum. These improvements will incorporate modern irrigation methods, canal rehabilitation, assessment of pumping stations, and the reuse of agricultural drainage water.
Additionally, both parties reviewed the forthcoming second phase of the Nile Delta Water Management Program. This phase will involve conducting water balance studies, developing infrastructure, implementing strategic plans for water-sensitive regions, increasing the reuse of agricultural drainage water, and expanding capacity-building efforts.
A key aspect of their discussion was the transition from traditional flood irrigation to modern irrigation systems, with a focus on evaluating environmental, economic, and social impacts. Sweilem reaffirmed Egypt’s dedication to deepening cooperation with Germany to address water and climate-related challenges. He also highlighted the importance of Germany’s backing for the African Center for Water and Climate Adaptation (PACWA), which aims to provide specialized training to African professionals in water management and climate adaptation.
