Cairo: Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Hani Sewilam discussed with UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed preparations for the 2026 United Nations Water Conference and the future of global water governance within the United Nations system. The meeting occurred during the minister's participation in the ministerial segment of the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, held at the United Nations headquarters in New York.

According to State Information Service Egypt, Sewilam expressed his appreciation for the UN's role in preparing for the conference. He praised the efforts of the UN deputy secretary-general in keeping water issues at the forefront of the international agenda and stressed the importance of continued cooperation to ensure the success of the conference.

As co-chair of the third interactive dialogue "Water for the Planet" alongside Japan, Sewilam reviewed the outcomes of extensive consultations held with member states, UN agencies, and various stakeholders. He noted that the current phase is witnessing the development of pioneering initiatives that deliver tangible and practical results.

The irrigation minister also highlighted the importance of achieving integration among the UN Water Conferences of 2023, 2026, and 2028, as well as ensuring coherence among various intergovernmental processes related to water, in a way that supports implementation and maintains political momentum.

The meeting also discussed the importance of desalination using renewable energy for intensive food production, along with water reuse and treatment, as key elements of the "water resources mix" needed to address future water scarcity challenges. The two sides stressed the importance of encouraging innovation, reducing costs, and linking proposed initiatives to clear financing mechanisms to transform them into feasible programs and projects.