Egypt’s Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Mohamed Abdel-Aty on Saturday met with conservative representatives, members of the House of Representatives and Senate and the Coordination of Youth Parties and Politicians to discuss issues related to Egypt’s water situation including the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) and the state’s efforts to rationalize water usage. Abdel-Aty went over the current situation regarding GERD negotiations, emphasizing Egypt’s firm desire to finalize them and while stressing its water rights. The total water needs in Egypt reach 114 billion cubic meters annually, he said, with this gap compensated by reusing agricultural wastewater and surface groundwater alongside importing food products. Egypt is preparing a strategy for water resources until 2050 at a cost of LE900 billion through a national plan for water resources that include rationalizing water use, improving its quality, providing additional water sources, and creating a climate for optimal water management. The construction of the GERD, which began in 2011, is considered to be one of Egypt’s most serious water issues.

Source: Egypt Independent June 06, 2021 10:13 UTC