Monday, 25 May 2026
Egypt, Netherlands mark half a century of cooperation with focus on modern irrigation, coastal protection
Egypt’s Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, Hani Sewilam, recently met with the Dutch Ambassador in Cairo, Peter Mollema, to discuss ongoing and future avenues of partnership in the critical field of water management.
The meeting highlighted the steady progress of a landmark joint initiative: the "Irrigation Technology Modernization Project for Improving the Livelihoods of Small Farmers in Upper Egypt."
This project, supported by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and funded by the Dutch government, continues to be implemented on schedule. Egyptian authorities and Dutch partners emphasized their close coordination with FAO to ensure the project’s successful and timely completion. Key efforts include accelerating the adoption of modern irrigation systems by local farmers in Assiut, Sohag, and Qena governorates. These advancements are already contributing to increased crop productivity and improved incomes, with outreach events and workshops helping to bring the benefits of modern irrigation to rural communities.
Further strengthening sustainable development, preparations are underway for a new memorandum of understanding with Invest International, a Dutch organization, to conduct a feasibility study on protecting Egypt’s Mediterranean coastline using environmentally-friendly “sand nourishment” techniques.
Sewilam underscored the importance of natural, eco-friendly methods in safeguarding Egypt's beaches, especially as climate change and coastal erosion pose growing challenges.
In a celebration of enduring friendship and collaboration, both countries are preparing to mark the 50th anniversary of Egyptian-Dutch partnership in the water sector—a journey that began with the founding of the Egyptian-Dutch Advisory Panel in 1975.
A series of special events will be featured at the upcoming “Cairo Water Week” in October, recognizing half a century of shared progress in water management, coastal protection, and climate resilience.
The talks also addressed the renewal of the long-standing Memorandum of Understanding between Egypt and the Netherlands, which supports high-level cooperation on water management, coastal development, and adaptation to climate change.
This continued partnership stands as a model of effective international cooperation, blending technical innovation, environmental care, and capacity-building to ensure water security and prosperity for future generations.