Cairo:Minister of Irrigation and Water Resources Hani Sewilam emphasized the critical role of science, data, and risk maps in the planning of development and investment projects. He highlighted the preparation of maps assessing coastal inundation risks and seawater intrusion into groundwater for future years including 2030, 2050, 2070, and 2100, which have been delivered to the relevant governorates.
According to State Information Service Egypt, Sewilam made these remarks during a meeting with ministry officials to review efforts towards a strategic plan for the integrated management of coastal areas. The meeting also discussed a proposed institutional framework to coordinate among relevant authorities, aimed at supporting sustainable development and protecting investments, assets, and natural resources.
The Minister noted the effectiveness of coastal protection projects in safeguarding the northern coastal areas of the Nile Delta from rising Mediterranean Sea levels. He stressed the importance of assessing the impact of sea-level rise on groundwater in the Delta as a step towards developing strategies to mitigate potential effects.
Sewilam urged the translation of risk maps into practical measures such as selecting appropriate sites for future facilities, updating asset maintenance plans, and enhancing crisis and emergency management plans. He also called for reviewing codes that govern existing and future facilities and networks in coordination with relevant authorities to prepare for rising sea levels, coastal erosion, and saltwater intrusion.
An integrated institutional framework for coastal management was proposed, featuring a high-level national committee chaired by the prime minister or a representative, along with a technical secretariat and local committees in governorates. This framework aims to standardize data, clarify responsibilities, integrate sectoral plans, and establish a mechanism for assessing and reviewing proposed projects against risk maps.
Furthermore, Sewilam mentioned the ministry's efforts to combine sustainable planning with the execution of coastal protection projects while expanding nature-based and environmentally friendly solutions. The project's findings are expected to guide coastal development, enhance investment efficiency, and ensure sustainability, with consideration for a second phase to protect areas most vulnerable to climate change.
The project, titled 'Enhancing Climate Change Adaptation in the North Coast and Nile Delta,' is funded by a $31.4 million grant from the Green Climate Fund in cooperation with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). It includes coastal protection works spanning 69 kilometers across five coastal governorates Port Said, Damietta, Dakahlia, Kafr El-Sheikh, and Beheira.