Cairo: Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Hani Sewilam emphasized the importance of directing scientific research toward providing practical, implementable solutions and linking research findings to the needs of decision-makers in order to improve water management, reduce disaster risks, and enhance communities' capacity to cope with floods, flash floods, and climate change.
According to State Information Service Egypt, the remarks came during the minister's visit to the International Centre for Water Hazard and Risk Management (ICHARM), affiliated with Japan's Public Works Research Institute, as part of his current visit to Japan. He was accompanied by Yoko Kamikawa, the Japanese Prime Minister's Special Envoy to the 2026 United Nations Water Conference, and Raji El-Etreby, Egypt's Ambassador to Japan.
During the visit, Sewilam received a presentation on the center's activities. ICHARM, a UNESCO Category II Center, supports countries in reducing flood and water-related disaster risks by integrating scientific research, capacity building, knowledge sharing, the development of forecasting tools, and decision-support systems.
The presentation also highlighted the center's efforts in developing hydrological models, flood forecasting tools, flood inundation risk maps, and assessments of the impacts of climate change on water resources. In addition, the center implements training and research programs for engineers, researchers, and government officials to strengthen planning and preparedness for extreme water-related events.
Sewilam reviewed a number of the center's research studies and practical applications aimed at supporting water resources management, mitigating flood risks, utilizing advanced technologies to support decision-making, and adapting to climate change.
During the discussions, the minister stressed that cooperation between research institutions and executive agencies is essential for translating scientific knowledge into practical policies and actions. He also underlined the importance of exchanging expertise in flood and flash flood forecasting, risk mapping, dam and reservoir operation during extreme hydrological events, and the capacity building of researchers and engineers.
He added that these areas are fully aligned with the objectives of the second generation of Egypt's Water Resources Management System (2.0), through supporting digital transformation, smart water resources management, strengthening climate resilience, improving the efficiency of water infrastructure, and developing human resources. These efforts, he said, would help leverage the latest scientific and technological tools to support decision-making and achieve more efficient and sustainable water resources management.