Kampala: Egypt and Uganda have reaffirmed their commitment to continue consultations within the Nile Basin Initiative (NBI), emphasizing inclusive participation and cooperation to benefit all member countries. This commitment was articulated in a joint statement following the second round of the Egypt-Uganda (2+2) ministerial talks and a visit to Uganda by Egypt's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration, and Egyptian Expatriates Badr Abdelatty, along with Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Hani Sewilam.

According to State Information Service Egypt, the visit was in accordance with directives from Presidents Abdel Fattah El Sisi and Yoweri Museveni to enhance bilateral coordination and further joint interests concerning Nile-related issues. The discussions included preparations for President Museveni's upcoming state visit to Egypt, aimed at deepening the strategic partnership between the two nations.

The ministers underscored the importance of preserving sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity, in accordance with the African Union's founding charter and the UN Charter. They also reviewed regional developments in the Horn of Africa, the Red Sea, and the Great Lakes region, agreeing on the need for stability and adherence to international legal principles.

Moreover, the four ministers concurred on expanding cooperation in areas such as water resource management, security, law enforcement, and peacebuilding. They also pledged to work together on Agenda 2063 and Agenda 2030 through platforms like the African Union, COMESA, and the United Nations.

Egypt expressed its readiness to support Uganda's development priorities, particularly in dam infrastructure and aquatic weed control, through its Nile Basin investment scheme. Both countries agreed to maintain ongoing consultations on Nile water governance to achieve mutually beneficial agreements, guided by international law and best practices.

The Egyptian delegation welcomed the proactive engagement of the NBI Special Committee, chaired by Uganda, tasked with engaging member states that have yet to ratify the Cooperative Framework Agreement (CFA). Egypt also praised the constructive discussions held during the committee's meetings.

The next round of the 2+2 ministerial session is scheduled to be hosted in Egypt in late 2025.