I am delighted to join you in Cairo, on the banks of one of the most iconic waterways in the world. The Nile has shaped human civilisation for thousands of years — and I know it occupies a vital place in the life and culture of this city. Water is our most precious resource and the lifeblood of our world.  In fact, our complete reliance on water reminds us that we are all the same – no matter where we’re from. Our dependence on water is a great human equaliser.  So, it is a pleasure to be here today to reaffirm the European Union’s close alliance with Egypt under our Water Partnership.

Cairo Water Week has become a key platform for us and for many partners from the region. It is an opportunity to make sure that water is at the  forefront of the global agenda.  The water cycle is spinning out of control – and our food systems, our energy security, our health and economic prosperity are at risk.  I know you feel this intensely here on the African Continent, and we feel it too in Europe.  Extreme heatwaves, severe droughts, and destructive floods have cost Europe a staggering 43 billion euros this summer — expected to soar to 129 billion euros by 2029. Roughly 1 in every 3 people in the EU suffers from water scarcity.  So let me be clear: we are in this together.

The EU is determined to play its part.  Our European Water Resilience Strategy, adopted in June, is a roadmap to a sustainable water future. And the Strategy is backed by powerful commitments from the European Investment Bank, which will invest 15 billion euros between now and 2027 to tackle Europe’s water crisis.  We are also prioritising regional and global collaboration.  The EU will:  support water infrastructure worldwide,  champion integrated water resources management, advance water diplomacy and transboundary water management,  contribute to close the financing gap in the sector, and build strategic partnerships.

Our Water Partnership with Egypt is one that we are proud of – and one that will deliver concrete results.  We will step up technical cooperation and Research & Innovation. We will create a pipeline for investments in Integrated Water Resources Management. And we will prioritise circular economy approaches.  We are also cooperating on global water issues. And I want to commend Egypt and Minister Sewilam for your leadership in addressing regional and global water and climate challenges. The next milestone is the UN Water Conference next year, where we need to show ambition and unity. So, we are building a comprehensive Water Partnership with Egypt ranging from the local to the global scale.