Tripartite committee nods to GERD impact studies: Officials from Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia appear to be in general agreement over the results of the environmental impact studies on Ethiopia’s Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), according to an Ethiopian News Agency report picked up by Al Masry Al Youm. The officials had met in Addis Ababa over the last few days to discuss progress on the dam, which could have deep, long-term impact on downstream nations — particularly us here in Egypt. The French consultancy firms conducting the studies will be concluding their work and submitting their final report to the tripartite committee from the three countries, who will collectively foot the EUR 4.5 bn bill. Egypt had reportedly been concerned over the delays in issuing the studies. Ethiopia’s Irrigation Minister Seleshi Bekele said that Ethiopia is fully committed on sharing relevant information with both Egypt and Sudan, and has been inviting both countries to address concerns and resolve misunderstandings, according to Anadolu.