The Netherlands and Egypt sign MoU to enhance cooperation in water management and climate change adaptation
The Netherlands and Egypt have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at bolstering cooperation in water management and climate change adaptation during the seventh Cairo Water Week. Under this agreement, a sand survey in the Nile Delta offshore zone will be conducted to assess the availability of sand resources for beach nourishment projects.
The MoU was signed by Mr. Essam Khalifa, Chairman of the Egyptian General Authority for Coastal Protection, and Ms. Eva Wittmann, Dutch Deputy Ambassador to Egypt. This agreement reflects the strong partnership between the Arab Republic of Egypt and the Kingdom of the Netherlands, particularly in the development of water management strategies.
The memorandum aims to address the challenges posed by climate change on water and natural resources. It seeks to leverage the technical, economic, and administrative capabilities of both government agencies and private sector companies to enhance cooperation in these critical areas. One of the key objectives of the MoU is to conduct research on sand sources along the maritime border of the Nile Delta in Egypt, as well as to prepare feasibility studies for adaptation strategies that involve replenishing coastal areas with sand.
Sand nourishment is expected to be an effective solution for coastal erosion. It is a sustainable climate adaptation strategy that can help Egypt protect the Delta against sea level rise. A sand survey will be executed by a Dutch Egyptian consortium consisting of Van Oord, Dutch dredging and marine contractors; Horema, geotechnical engineers from Alexandria; and, Marine Sampling Holland, a Dutch research engineering firm.
The signing was attended by Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation; Dr. Hany Sweilem, Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation; and Ms. Meike van Ginneken, Dutch Special Envoy for Water.
Netherlands & Cairo Water Week
The seventh Cairo Water Week took place from 13 to 17 October and centred around the theme 'Water and Climate: Building Resilient Communities,' underscoring the vital connection between water management and climate resilience. Over time, Cairo Water Week has transformed into an important global forum for addressing vital water-related challenges. This year's event explored in greater depth the relationship between water and climate, focusing on how their interaction impacts community resilience.
As in previous years, a delegation from the Netherlands had an active role in the event’s programme. Van Ginneken and Wittmann, along with a diplomatic mission from the Dutch Embassy and about 20 water experts from the Netherlands, participated in a roundtable on the aspirations for the UN 2026 Water Conference and the Egypt-Netherlands High-Level Expert Water Panel, amongst other policy level discussions.
For almost 50 years, the Netherlands and Egypt have worked together on water resources development. As part of this collaboration, an annual High Level Water Panel takes place to address potential development projects and enhance cooperation between the countries’ governments, businesses, knowledge institutes and NGO’s. The Panel is chaired by the Dutch and Egyptian ministers of Water.
