On Saturday, Egypt praised UN Secretary-General António Guterres for creating the position of UN Water Envoy. Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi will assume this role starting in November 2024.
Egypt and Germany’s Initiative
In response, the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that Egypt, together with Germany, spearheaded a major initiative to prepare for the 2023 UN Water Conference. Consequently, this campaign successfully garnered support from 151 countries for the new UN Water Envoy position.
Goals and Commitments
The primary aim of this initiative is to assist member states, particularly those facing water scarcity, in achieving the sixth Sustainable Development Goal related to water. The Ministry emphasized that this decision reflects Egypt’s dedication to enhancing multilateral cooperation in addressing emerging challenges.
Collaboration with the New Envoy
Looking ahead, Egypt is eager to collaborate with the new UN Envoy to advance the 2030 Agenda, especially in managing water scarcity. This goal aligns with Egypt’s ongoing efforts towards responsible water management and cross-border cooperation in accordance with international law.
Concerns Over the Grand Renaissance Dam
However, the establishment of this role comes amid ongoing concerns about the Grand Renaissance Dam in Ethiopia. Egypt, which relies on the Nile for nearly 97% of its irrigation and drinking water, is particularly worried about the dam’s impact on its historical water share.
Minister’s Response to Ethiopia
In light of these concerns, Foreign Minister Badr Abdel Atti addressed the UN Security Council President. He strongly rejected Ethiopia’s unilateral policies, which he claimed violate international law and breach the 2015 Declaration of Principles Agreement signed by Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia.
Recent Negotiations and Disputes
Moreover, Abdel Atti’s letter followed recent remarks by Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed regarding the fifth filling phase of the dam. Minister Abdel Atti warned that these Ethiopian policies could have severe negative impacts on both Egypt and Sudan.
Ongoing Negotiations and Ethiopia’s Position
To address these issues, Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia have conducted multiple rounds of negotiations. The latest talks, held in Addis Ababa from December 17-19, 2023, did not yield a satisfactory agreement. As a result, Egypt announced the end of the negotiation process, while Ethiopia continues to construct and prepare for the fifth annual filling of the dam.
In conclusion, both Egypt and Sudan are insisting on reaching a binding agreement with Ethiopia regarding the dam’s filling and operation, particularly during drought periods, to ensure a consistent water flow from the Nile. Conversely, Ethiopia argues that the dam is vital for development and electricity generation, maintaining that it does not aim to harm any other country.