President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, President of the Arab Republic of Egypt, delivered a recorded speech today, Sunday, during the opening of the 9th edition of Cairo Water Week, highlighting key messages on Egypt's water security:

Lifeline: The Nile is not merely a river; it is Egypt's lifeline and the source of over 98% of its water resources.

Red Line: Any bet on Egypt accepting a fait accompli or compromising its water security is a losing bet. Protecting the interests of the Egyptian people is a non-negotiable responsibility.

Shared Resources: The location of river sources within a single country's territory does not grant it the right to single-handedly control a shared resource among multiple nations.

Right to Development: Every state has the right to development and resource utilization, provided it acts responsibly without harming other nations.

Path of Cooperation: Egypt has chosen the path of cooperation and dialogue, confident in the justice and legality of its cause.

Practical Steps: Egypt has translated this practically through cooperation in energy, agriculture, and irrigation projects with southern Nile Basin countries.

Building Trust: Prior notification, exchanging studies, and consultation are tools to build trust and mobilize financing, not to obstruct development or impose guardianship.

Eastern Nile Basin: Egypt calls for cooperation in the Eastern Nile Basin (Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia) based on international law, good neighborliness, and no-harm principles.

Common Interests: Shared interests outweigh any differences.

Water for Prosperity, Not Conflict: Water must remain a driver for shared prosperity rather than a political tool to fuel conflicts.

Water Security: Water security is a joint responsibility requiring funding and technology.

Future Vision: Egypt calls for transforming the Nile from an arena of imposing wills into a source of development, prosperity, and a transition from crisis management to sustainable solutions.