Water Resources and Irrigation Minister Mohamed Abdel Aati discussed on Thursday with Dutch Climate Envoy Prince Jaime de Bourbon de Parme water-related issues, which will figure high during the upcoming climate conference.

During the meeting, Abdel Aati said the Egyptian-Dutch cooperation in the field of water is a model for cooperation between the two countries.

Egypt and the Netherlands have a long-standing relationship for more than 40 years concerning water, added the minister.

The Egyptian-Dutch Water Advisory Panel was established in 1976. Since then, the panel has been working to support the exchange of experiences between the Egyptian and Dutch governments in the areas of planning and management of water resources, he went on to say.

The impacts of climate change on the water sector are so substantial, he said, underlining the importance of discussing ways to mitigate the impact of climate change on the water sector during COP27.

The water shortage would contribute to increasing illegal immigration, warned the minister.

Abdel Aati, meanwhile, posted the Dutch envoy on the measures taken by his Ministry to cope with the negative effect of the climate change.

Egypt is pressing ahead with efforts to rehabilitate its shores and areas along bodies of water as part of its strategy to preserve these swathes of lands from the ramifications of climate change, added the minister during the meeting.

The minister also reviewed the ongoing replenishment measures, including expanding the use of solar energy in irrigation projects along with the adopting unconventional methods using modern technology.

Egypt is keen on enhancing cooperation with the Netherlands in water-related spheres, added the minister.

The minister further invited the Dutch envoy to attend the proceedings of the Fifth edition of the Cairo Water Week, to be held on October 16 under the rubric "Water at the Heart of Climate Action".