Egypt: GERD Binding Deal Paves Way for Regional Cooperation, Investments

Egypt: GERD Binding Deal Paves Way for Regional Cooperation, Investments

The Egyptian Minister of Irrigation at the First Baghdad International Water Conference (Ministry of Water Resources)

Egypt's Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Mohamed Abdel Atti reiterated Cairo's rejection of any unilateral actions by the upstream countries along the Nile River Basin.

He also stressed that a legally binding agreement over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) would pave the way for investments and development in the Nile Basin countries.

Speaking at the first International Water Conference in Baghdad, Abdel Atti reviewed the water challenges facing his country, in light of the shortage of resources, the rapid increase in the population, and climate change.

Addis Ababa has been building the dam since 2011 to generate electricity and construction has reached 78.3 percent of the full dam, according to official statements.

Cairo fears the dam would threaten its annual share of the Nile's 55.5 million cubic meters of water and does not meet its basic needs.

Egypt is trying to mobilize international efforts to end the crisis which it describes as an existential threat that could affect its over 100 million people.

Abdel Atti said that 97 percent of Egypt's renewable water resources come from outside its borders, which has prompted Cairo to take several measures and policies