H.E. Dr. Mohamed Abdel Aty, Senior Regional Consultant for Water Resources Management at the Centre for Environment and Development for the Arab Region and Europe (CEDARE) and Egypt’s former Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, participated in the international course on Hydro-diplomacy for climate resilience, peace and security, held in Nicosia, Cyprus. The programme is organised through cooperation between the Cyprus Institute, the University of Balamand, and the European Security and Defence College. It aims to strengthen the role of water diplomacy in transforming shared water challenges into opportunities for cooperation and benefit-sharing, while advancing water security, peace, and regional stability.
Dr. Abdel Aty delivered a presentation on the growing challenges of water resources management amid climate change and increasing pressure on shared resources. He reviewed developments in negotiations over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), including their technical, legal and political dimensions, and highlighted the importance of reaching sustainable operational arrangements that consider the interests of all parties and ensure that no significant harm is caused to downstream countries, in accordance with relevant international law.
He also highlighted opportunities to strengthen cooperation among Nile Basin countries through joint projects, knowledge exchange and capacity building. Particular attention was given to the proposed navigation corridor linking Lake Victoria to the Mediterranean Sea and its potential to promote trade, transport and regional economic integration.
Dr. Abdel Aty emphasised that water diplomacy extends beyond managing disputes to building trust, strengthening partnerships and transforming shared challenges into opportunities for cooperation. He underscored the importance of linking sustainable water management with climate resilience, security, regional stability and sustainable development.
CEDARE’s participation reaffirms its commitment to regional dialogue and cooperation on shared water resources, supporting water security, climate resilience and sustainable development across the region.
