Netherlands is launching its water and food security programme in Egypt in 2019. A Dutch delegation of water and food security experts is currently visiting Egypt for two weeks in order to explore and design the programme which will be implemented for the next four years.

The programme aims to build upon the longstanding relation with Egypt in the water field which dates back to 40 years, according to a statement by the Dutch embassy last week, adding that this cooperation flourished through the high-level Egyptian-Dutch water panel, where both ministers of water meet once a year to discuss common interests and means of cooperation.

The Delta Coalition is also another platform for cooperation between the two countries–the world’s first international coalition of governments which comes together to deal with integrated management and sustainable development of the deltas.

Being delta countries, the Netherlands and Egypt have similar conditions and exposure to the impact of climate change on their lands, coasts, and agricultural activities. Therefore, the programme is specifically looking into how to use the extensive Dutch knowledge developed in this field, in a complementary approach to the Egyptian government’s priorities and key stakeholders’ activities.