The governments of Egypt and the Netherlands have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), to set up joint cooperation relating to water resources management projects.

Signed by Egypt’s Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Mohamed Abdel Aaty and the Dutch Ambassador to Egypt Han-Maurits Schaapveld in place of the Netherlands’ Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management Cora van Nieuwenhuizen, the MoU details three main topics of cooperation and exchange of experiences between the two sides. These topics are water and agriculture, integrated coastal zone management, and sewage treatment.

A part of long-standing cooperation in the field of water management

The MoU, according to Mohamed Sebaey who is the spokesperson for Egypt’s Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation, is part of the long-term cooperation between Egypt and the Netherlands in the field of water management under the Egyptian-Dutch Advisory Panel on Water Management established back in 1976.

The latter has worked to support the exchange of experiences between the two governments in the areas of planning and management of water resources. Other areas of cooperation include: maximizing the return of water in agriculture, improving water quality, developing sewage treatment technologies, and creating integrated management for coastal areas.

Enhancement of cooperation between the two countries

The two countries hold an annual High-Level Water Panel meeting in which new development projects are initiated to enhance cooperation between the two countries’ governments, businesses, knowledge institutes, and non-governmental organizations.

The panel consists of representatives from Egypt’s Ministries of Water Resources and Irrigation, Agriculture, and Housing, as well as the Holding Company for Water and Wastewater. The Dutch side is represented by the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Infrastructure, and the Netherlands Water Partnership.