Cairo:Egypt's Irrigation and Water Resources Minister, Hani Sewilam, has highlighted the country's efforts to enhance Arab cooperation in the water sector by hosting the seventh Arab Water Conference. This event, which aligns with Egypt's presidency of the Arab Ministerial Water Council, underscores Egypt's commitment to supporting joint Arab initiatives and strengthening partnerships in water management.
According to State Information Service Egypt, the conference is part of the ninth Cairo Water Week, held under the theme 'Water in the Arab Region, Partnerships for Peace and Sustainable Development.' The event, taking place on October 26-27, brings together several Arab water ministers and representatives from Arab, regional, and international organizations.
Minister Sewilam emphasized the crucial role of water in development, stability, and peace. He advocated for sustained cooperation to address water and climate challenges by leveraging Arab expertise and capabilities for the region's collective benefit. Sewilam also underscored the importance of sharing expertise in areas such as desalination, rainwater harvesting, demand management, water treatment, and reuse.
The minister expressed Egypt's willingness to share its knowledge, particularly in water treatment, reuse, and irrigation system development, with other Arab countries. He called for the transformation of cooperation into tangible, financeable joint projects through technology transfer, capacity building, and improved investment mechanisms. This approach aims to enhance water-use efficiency and optimize the use of non-conventional water resources.
Sewilam also highlighted the importance of managing shared water resources in accordance with international law to ensure countries' rights and interests and prevent harm. Additionally, he advocated for strengthening water diplomacy, data exchange, and developing early-warning systems. He stressed the need to integrate science, technology, and innovation in addressing the water-food-energy-ecosystems nexus to build trust and tackle common challenges.
The conference serves as a platform to align Arab priorities and positions in preparation for the upcoming UN Water Conference in Abu Dhabi and the 11th World Water Forum in Riyadh in 2027. Minister Sewilam underscored the importance of formulating practical recommendations and initiatives that address the region's needs, bolster its international presence on water issues, and achieve tangible outcomes in support of water security, peace, and sustainable development.