Egypt reaffirms rejection of unilateral Nile River measures, seeks water cooperation with Japan
via Egypt Today2 min read
Egypt has reiterated its opposition to unilateral actions concerning transboundary rivers, including the Nile, while expressing a desire to enhance water management cooperation with Japan. Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty met with Yoko Kamikawa, Special Envoy of the Japanese Prime Minister to the 2026 United Nations Water Conference, on Wednesday. Abdelatty outlined Egypt's water scarcity challenges and its national water resources management strategy, which focuses on improving water use efficiency, expanding treatment and reuse, and modernizing irrigation systems. He welcomed Japan's expertise and technological solutions in these areas. Abdelatty emphasized the importance of cooperation in managing transboundary rivers, stressing the need for prior notification and avoiding harm to downstream states, in line with international law. These remarks come amidst an ongoing dispute between Egypt, Ethiopia, and Sudan over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam GERD on the Blue Nile. Egypt has consistently raised concerns that the dam's filling and operation could impact its water supply, with negotiations among the three nations stalled. Abdelatty also expressed Egypt's interest in continued collaboration with Japan during their co-chairmanship of the UN conference's third interactive dialogue, aiming to build on past successes and advance the global water agenda.
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Must ReadEgypt has strongly condemned an Iranian attack on Kuwait International Airport, which resulted in injuries and significant damage to facilities. The Egyptian foreign ministry described the attack as a flagrant violation of Kuwait’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, calling it a "dangerous escalation" that threatens security and stability in the Arabian Gulf and the wider Middle East. Egypt expressed full solidarity with Kuwait, supporting all measures taken to safeguard its security, stability, and critical infrastructure. Cairo reiterated that the security of Gulf Arab states is a core pillar of Arab national security and reaffirmed its rejection of actions that violate state sovereignty or threaten territorial integrity. Kuwait’s defense ministry reported that drones struck Terminal 1, causing damage and injuries, leading to flight suspensions and diversions. US Central Command stated it intercepted Iranian ballistic missiles and drones and conducted strikes on an Iranian military ground control station on Qeshm Island in response to attempted attacks across the Middle East. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard claimed responsibility for targeting the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain and another regional location, in retaliation for a US strike on an oil tanker. These attacks occurred amidst ongoing talks between Washington and Tehran to preserve a ceasefire and reach a broader agreement to end the war that began on February 28.
Egypt's trade deficit expanded by 48.8 percent year-on-year in March 2026, reaching $4.6 billion, up from $3.1 billion in March 2025, according to the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics CAPMAS. Exports decreased by 2.5 percent to $4.6 billion in March 2026, compared to $4.8 billion in the previous year. This decline was primarily due to reduced exports of fertilizers, various food preparations, potatoes, and crude oil. Conversely, petroleum products, ready-made garments, fresh fruits, and plastics in primary forms saw increased exports. Imports rose by 17.8 percent to $9.3 billion in March 2026, from $7.9 billion a year prior. This increase was largely driven by higher imports of petroleum products, natural gas, crude oil, and wheat. However, imports of raw materials of iron or steel, corn, organic and inorganic chemicals, and pharmaceuticals and pharmaceutical preparations all declined.
Must ReadEgyptAir has announced the cancellation of its flights to Kuwait Airport for Wednesday and Thursday. This decision follows a recent Iranian attack targeting Kuwait International Airport. The airline stated that the cancellations are made out of concern for passenger safety until the regional situation stabilizes. EgyptAir is closely monitoring developments in coordination with relevant authorities and the Civil Aviation Authority. Passengers with bookings to and from Kuwait are advised to contact the EgyptAir call center to review their travel plans. Egypt has condemned the Iranian strike on Kuwait International Airport, describing the incident, which caused injuries and facility damage, as a “heinous attack.”
Egypt's Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation, and Egyptians Abroad, Dr. Badr Abdelatty, met with Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi to initiate the third round of the Egyptian-Japanese Strategic Dialogue. The dialogue aims to strengthen bilateral relations, activate cooperation across various sectors, and exchange views on regional and international issues. Minister Abdelatty highlighted the momentum in relations since the strategic partnership announcement in April 2023 and expressed a desire for annual dialogues. He emphasized Egypt's improved investment environment, strategic location, and free trade agreements, inviting Japanese companies to invest and diversify their production centers. The meeting also covered enhancing development cooperation through Japan International Cooperation Agency JICA projects, particularly in education, scientific research, and human capacity building, and acknowledged Japan's support for the Grand Egyptian Museum. Opportunities for trilateral cooperation between Egypt, Japan, and African countries were discussed, with a focus on implementing outcomes from the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development TICAD 9. The Japanese Foreign Minister praised the progress in Egyptian-Japanese relations and Egypt's role in regional security. A preliminary framework for the strategic partnership was signed, with a full document to be signed at the presidential level, alongside an agreement on diplomatic training