The Blue Nile is 鈥渃ritical for the livelihoods and development鈥� of Egyptians, Ethiopians and Sudanese, the top UN official for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs told the Security Council on Monday, urging those States to reach a construction agreement on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).
Under-Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo via videoconference that 鈥渢ransboundary water cooperation is a key element in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (厂顿骋蝉)鈥�.
She also warned that 鈥渃limate change, combined with projected demographic growth and socio-economic changes, will increase water management challenges worldwide.鈥�
鈥淭hrough the generation of hydroelectricity, the GERD will significantly boost Ethiopia鈥檚 energy sources, allowing it to increase electrification, accelerate industrialization, and export excess electricity to the region,鈥� the top UN political official said.听
A controversial dam
Stemming from the complicated water supply politics of the Nile States, the GERD has been a politically-charged issue in the region for years.听
When it merges with the White Nile in Khartoum, the Blue Nile contributes approximately 85 per cent to the volume of the main Nile River.听
Dam construction began on the Blue Nile, near the Sudan border in Ethiopia鈥檚 Benishangul-Gumuz region back in April 2011. Once completed, the $4.5 billion project will be Africa鈥檚 biggest hydroelectric power plant.
Concerned that the dam could decrease its water supply, depending upon how quickly it is filled, Egypt wants guaranteed access to adequate water if there is a drought while Ethiopia is filling the reservoir.听
Meanwhile, Ethiopia maintains that the dam could ultimately provide more electricity at a cheaper price, increase irrigation potential and reduce flooding to the Nile States.听
Settling the matter
Since construction began, there have been several rounds of talks between Ethiopia and the downriver States of Sudan and Egypt.听
鈥淭o fully realize its benefits and mitigate potential negative effects on the downstream countries,鈥� Ms. DiCarlo commended the States involved for undertaking several 鈥渃ommendable initiatives over the past decade,鈥� including the 2015 Declaration of Principles on the GERD, in which the three countries committed to 鈥渃ooperation, equitable and reasonable utilization, security, and the peaceful settlement of disputes.鈥�
While trilateral discussions have been conducted, she noted that 鈥渢he three riparian States were not able to reach agreement鈥� on a text presented in February. However, they did appoint observers to the talks, including South Africa, the United States and the European Union.
And on 26 June, at a session of the Bureau of the African Union (AU) Heads of State, President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi (Egypt), Prime Miister Abiy Ahmed (Ethiopia) and Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok (Sudan) agreed to an AU-led process to resolve outstanding issues.
鈥淭he parties will meet over the next two weeks for this purpose,鈥� Ms. DiCarlo informed the 15-member organ, lauding the parties 鈥渄etermination to negotiate an agreement鈥� and applauding the AU鈥檚 efforts to facilitate the process.听
The remaining differences include the binding nature of an agreement, the dispute resolution mechanism and the management of water flow during droughts.听
UN participation
While acknowledging that the UN has not participated in the GERD negotiations, the political chief assured that, 鈥渢he Secretary-General is fully seized of this matter.鈥�
If the parties 鈥渟how the necessary political will to compromise,鈥� she upheld that differences can be overcome, and 鈥渁n agreement can be reached鈥�, adding that the UN 鈥渟tands ready to assist.鈥�
In conclusion, Ms. DiCarlo said that cooperation is 鈥渢he key to a successful collective effort to reduce poverty and increase growth, thus delivering on the development potential of the region.鈥�
鈥淲e firmly hope that Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan will persevere with efforts to achieve an agreement on the GERD that is beneficial to all.鈥�
