President Abdel Fattah El Sisi reiterated Egypt’s commitment to resolving the GERD crisis through an agreement that’s fair to all parties during his speech opening Cairo Water Week, according to a statement. The president called on the international community to amp up its efforts to reach an agreement on the disputed Ethiopian mega-dam.

On food security: “Given that the amount of food we need is expected to see a 60% increase by 2050, it has become clear that water challenges and food security are one and the same,” El Sisi said.

Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry also spoke on water scarcity issues in desert nations at yesterday’s opening, according to a statement.

El Sisi also rang up Iraq’s newly-elected president Abdul Latif Rashid to congratulate him on assuming the position, according to a statement. Rashid was elected by the Iraqi parliament last week and named Mohammed Shia al-Sudani prime minister-designate, putting an end to a political deadlock in the country since elections a year ago, Reuters reports.