Egypt and Finland discussed cooperation on water issues and preparations for the 2026 United Nations Water Conference during a virtual meeting between Egyptian Water Resources and Irrigation Minister Hani Sewilam and Finland’s Special Envoy for Water Antti Rautavaara.
The meeting was also attended by Finland’s Ambassador to Cairo Riikka Eela.
Sewilam praised Finland’s role in supporting international water issues and stressed the importance of expanding cooperation and exchanging views between the two countries to advance the Sustainable Development Goals and strengthen the links between water, climate, food, and energy.
The discussions focused in particular on preparations for the UN Water Conference 2026, with Sewilam welcoming Finland’s leadership of the conference’s fourth interactive dialogue on transboundary water cooperation.
He said the dialogue’s concept document should reflect established principles governing cooperation over shared water resources, including the obligation not to cause harm, as well as prior notification and consultation.
The minister also stressed the importance of coordination among the conference’s different interactive dialogues, including initiatives being developed jointly by Egypt and Japan under the dialogue titled “Water for the Planet”.
According to Sewilam, Egypt and Japan are working on proposals addressing the water cycle and green water, a water roadmap linked to the Rio Conventions, early warning systems, disaster risk reduction, and strengthening communities’ capacity to adapt to climate-related pressures.
Sewilam also welcomed Finland’s planned participation in the ninth Cairo Water Week, scheduled to take place in October.
He said a dedicated programme on the UN Water Conference is being prepared as part of Cairo Water Week to bring the different interactive dialogues closer together, facilitate the exchange of views on proposed initiatives, and help develop a common vision ahead of the 2026 conference.
The talks come as Egypt continues to place transboundary water cooperation and climate resilience at the centre of its international water diplomacy.
