EU UfM AfDB Water Investment Forum at Cairo Water Week

Cairo Water Week 2024

EU-UfM-AfDB Water Investment Forum

15 October 2024

Opening Remarksby

Ambassador Christian Berger,

Head of the EU Delegation to Egypt

Dear Minister Prof. Hani Sewilam;

Dear Secretary General Nasser Kamel;

Dear Country Director Abdourahmane Diaw;

Ladies and gentlemen; distinguished guests;

This 5th Annual Conference on Water Finance and Investment is a vital platform for us to address the critical challenges of financing sustainable water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services, especially in the Mediterranean and African regions. The theme of the conference-making finance work for WASH services - is especially timely given the growing water crises exacerbated by climate change and socio-economic pressures.

The European Union has long recognised that water security is not just about infrastructure. It is about health, dignity, and economic opportunity. Water management is at the heart of the EU's sustainability agenda, including our flagship European Green Deal, which seeks to make Europe the first climate-neutral continent by 2050. As part of this vision, we are embedding water resilience into all aspects of our environmental, economic, and social policies.

The EU Water Resilience Initiative, launched as part of the broader EU Green Deal, addresses critical water challenges such as droughts, floods, and pollution. Through this initiative, we are committed to integrating nature-based solutions, promoting sustainable resource management, and ensuring that Europe's water systems are prepared to meet both current and future challenges

This focus extends beyond Europe. The EU's New Agenda for the Mediterranean underscores the importance of water security in fostering regional stability, economic resilience, and sustainable development. Water is not only a shared resource but also a shared responsibility that binds our regions together. This agenda also reinforces the WASH sector, where the EU has already mobilised significant investment to improve access to clean water and sanitation services, particularly in Africa .

The EU's cooperation in the water and wastewater sectors across the Mediterranean region encompasses a comprehensive portfolio of over 60 programs across more than 15 countries, providing nearly €900 million in direct grant funding since 2006. These grants have leveraged a total of €6 billion from other financial institutions, making a significant impact on water infrastructure development.

In Africa, the EU is a key partner in supporting water resource management through various programs and partnerships. The Africa-EU Water Partnership Programme (AEWPP), which aims to support the Africa Water Vision 2025, is a key initiative that enhances water governance and infrastructure financing. With more than $441 million pledged to support cross-border water management, this initiative will unlock further capital for sustainable water projects across Africa . Through collaborations with partners like the African Union and the European Investment Bank (EIB), these projects are designed to strengthen regional cooperation and provide long-term solutions to water scarcity.

One notable project is in Senegal, where Team Europe combined a €5.55 million EU grant and €64.5 million EIB loan to deliver clean water to 1.2 million people, including first-time access for many low-income households. In Jordan, the EU has invested €400 million to strengthen water security, making it the largest water financing project by the EIB outside Europe.

In Egypt Team Europe has mobilisedover €600 million in grants, unlocking nearly €3.5 billion in additional funding for the water sector across Egypt and the broader region. This investment has resulted in the creation of 30,000 permanent jobs and 650,000 short-term job opportunities, enhancing water access and improving the quality of life for 24 million Egyptians by 2028 .

These projects, together with the EU's Green Deal and the EU's New Agenda for the Mediterranean, demonstrate the EU's dedication to fostering water resilience, enhancing WASH services, and supporting the sustainable management of water resources in Africa and beyond.

Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) are a crucial element of our approach. Through the Team Europe Initiative for Integrated Water and Food Security, we we help the private sector to promote wastewater treatment, water reuse, and the digitalisation of water management. European financial institutions like the EIB, EBRD, and KfW are playing pivotal roles in co-developing strategic water infrastructure projects.

Today's discussions are essential for identifying innovative solutions to finance and invest in WASH services. We need to emphasise cross-sectoral collaboration to meet the shared challenges of water security. The EU is committed to working alongside our Mediterranean and African partners to support sustainable water resource management, not only for today but for future generations.

As we look ahead, we ought to consider how we can collectively secure WASH services and enhance water resilience. This includes leveraging EU initiatives, such as the Global Gateway, which promotes cooperation among regional and International Organisations worldwide.

Together, we can ensure that water security becomes a pillar of resilience and stability for the Mediterranean and African regions.

Let us use this conference to forge stronger partnerships, pool our resources, and implement sustainable solutions.

Thank you, and I look forward to the fruitful discussions ahead

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