CAIRO - 21 January 2026: Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi met Wednesday with U.S. President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum to discuss regional stability, the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), and the ongoing peace process in Gaza.
During the meeting, the two leaders addressed the latest developments regarding the Gaza peace agreement, the Nile water issue with Ethiopia, and broader Middle East security.
Trump described the GERD as one of the largest dams ever constructed, noting its impact on the flow of the Nile River. He remarked that while the U.S. helped finance the project, the dam’s scale is immense. He added that multilateral discussions should have been finalized years ago, given Egypt’s existential dependence on the Nile.
Trump emphasized that his administration had been close to a final deal during his first term. He claimed the subsequent Biden administration was unfamiliar with the nuances of the negotiations. “But now, as we have returned, we will try to solve this problem,” the U.S. president said, adding that he intends to bring the Egyptian president and the Ethiopian prime minister together to resolve the crisis.
President Sisi thanked Trump for his consistent support regarding Egypt’s water security and expressed his pleasure in joining the "Peace Council" initiative led by the U.S. president. Sisi praised Trump for a "successful year of achievements" and credited his efforts for the cessation of hostilities in Gaza.
“I ask President Trump to continue his plan regarding Gaza,” Sisi said.
Trump characterized Sisi as a “great leader” and a pillar of Middle East stability. “We have a great and successful relationship with Egypt,” Trump added. He also noted that several other nations have expressed interest in joining the Peace Council, while reiterating that Hamas must be disarmed.
The meeting was attended by high-ranking officials from both nations. The Egyptian delegation included Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration, and Egyptian Expatriates Badr Abdelatty and Director of the General Intelligence Service Maj. Gen. Hassan Rashad. The U.S. delegation included Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Special Envoy for the Middle East Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner.
Presidency spokesperson Ambassador Mohamed El-Shennawy stated that Sisi emphasized Egypt’s desire to elevate the bilateral relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership. This includes plans to convene the second session of the Egyptian-American Economic Forum in 2026.
Trump expressed his appreciation for the long-standing military and economic partnership between the two countries and praised Sisi’s role in fostering regional peace.
Sisi welcomed Trump’s role in mediating the second phase of the Gaza agreement, specifically the formation of the Palestinian National Committee to administer the Strip. He affirmed Egypt’s readiness to ensure full implementation of the deal, stressing the need for immediate reconstruction and increased humanitarian aid for the Palestinian people.
The leaders also discussed joint efforts to end the conflict in Sudan within the framework of the Quartet. Sisi welcomed U.S. involvement in seeking an urgent humanitarian truce to end the suffering of the Sudanese people.
Regarding the Nile, Sisi reiterated that water security is an existential issue for Egypt. He noted that the rainfall in the Nile Basin is sufficient to meet the needs of all countries if managed properly under international law.
The meeting concluded with a discussion on Lebanon. Sisi emphasized the importance of the U.S. role in halting violations of Lebanese sovereignty and enabling state institutions to extend authority over their entire territory.
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