CAIRO – 23 September 2025: Minister of Foreign Affairs Badr Abdelatty reaffirmed Egypt’s rejection of unilateral measures in the Eastern Nile Basin that contravene international norms, emphasizing that Nile water is an existential issue for Egypt, and that Egypt will take all necessary measures, in line with international law, to safeguard its water security.
Abdelatty’s statements came during a meeting on Mnday with his Ugandan counterpart Jeje Odongo at the sidelines of the UNGA 80 meetings in New York.
On September 9, 2025, Egypt, represented by Minister of Foreign Affairs and Migration Badr Abdelatty, sent an official letter to the president of the United Nations Security Council in response to Ethiopia’s recent event celebrating the completion and operation of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). Cairo emphasized that the move constitutes a clear breach of international law and established norms.
Abdelatty affirmed Egypt’s openness to enhancing technical cooperation in various development sectors. He reiterated Egypt's readiness to provide capacity-building programs and training courses for Ugandan professionals through the Egyptian Agency for Partnership for Development (EAPD), noting Egypt’s willingness to assess and respond to Uganda's training needs within available resources.
The ministers also discussed the importance of strengthening cooperation in cultural, military, and parliamentary domains, in a manner that reflects the deep-rooted ties between the two brotherly nations.
In this context, Minister Abdelatty emphasized the importance of finalizing the review of the Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in priority areas—particularly in medical products and supplies, in preparation for its signing at the earliest opportunity.
The ministers explored avenues to maximize cooperation and expand political and economic ties. Minister Abdelatty expressed Egypt's desire for Uganda to be a primary beneficiary of the Development Support Mechanism for Southern Nile Basin Countries, which Egypt recently launched. He also underscored the importance of boosting trade exchange and expediting the establishment of the Egyptian-Ugandan Joint Business Council.
The two ministers also exchanged views on regional developments across the African continent. They addressed the situation in Somalia, particularly regarding the deployment of the African Union Support Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), in which both Egypt and Uganda are active participants.
On Sudan, both sides stressed the need to preserve the country’s unity, territorial integrity, and stability. They affirmed their support for Sudanese national institutions and expressed a shared commitment to promoting peace, security, and sustainable development across the region and the continent.
Egypt’s Foreign Minister concluded the meeting by discussing preparations for the upcoming fifth edition of the Aswan Forum for Sustainable Peace and Development, and expressed hope for Uganda’s active participation in its sessions.
Tue, Sep. 23, 2025
