He said Egypt believes the future of Nile Basin countries “lies in unity, inclusivity and dialogue, not division or unilateral measures”, calling for continued consultations aimed at restoring consensus among basin states, particularly those that have yet to join the framework agreement. The minister added that any institutional transition from the Nile Basin Initiative to a Nile River Basin Commission should occur only with full consensus among member states. He warned that non-inclusive steps could undermine regional cooperation and weaken the spirit of partnership that has guided basin dialogue for years. Sewilam stressed that Egypt’s water policy is guided by established principles of international water law, including prior notification, consultation, the avoidance of significant harm and equitable and reasonable utilisation. He urged Nile Basin states and development partners to prioritise cooperation and refrain from unilateral measures that could affect the unity and stability of the basin.

Source: Daily News Egypt February 21, 2026 17:31 UTC