Cairo: Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Hani Sewilam participated in the "Water on 44th: Turning the Tide for SDG 6 and Beyond" event, hosted by the Permanent Missions of Egypt and Japan to the United Nations at the Egyptian mission headquarters in New York.

According to State Information Service Egypt, the event was attended by Egypt's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Ihab Awad, alongside ministers, senior officials, representatives from the United Nations system, international organizations, and delegates representing the co-chairs of the other interactive dialogues for the 2026 UN Water Conference.

Sewilam emphasized that the event serves as a crucial platform for linking the global water community with the United Nations system and international decision-makers, aiding the preparation for the 2026 UN Water Conference. He highlighted that the conference is a significant chance to hasten the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 6, reaffirming water's central role in sustainable development, climate resilience, environmental protection, and human well-being.

He pointed out that the discussions centered on water scarcity, drought resilience, and disaster risk reduction, noting the emergence of a "new hydrological reality" driven by climate change's accelerating impacts. Sewilam stressed the need for a fundamental transformation in water resource management, advocating for resilience strengthening, early warning systems, climate-informed planning, innovation, ecosystem restoration, and integrated water resource management.

The minister praised the partnership with Japan, co-chairing the "Water for the Planet" dialogue, underscoring a commitment to ensuring the conference preparations are inclusive, practical, and implementation-focused through extensive consultations and events with diverse partners. The goal is to determine dialogue priorities and develop pioneering initiatives that will create a lasting impact beyond 2026.