Rome:Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Hani Sewilam emphasized the need for enhanced dialogue and knowledge-sharing between different generations of water specialists. He highlighted the importance of merging the experience of senior experts with the innovative ideas and technological proficiency of young professionals.According to State Information Service Egypt, Sewilam made these remarks at the Euro-Mediterranean Water Forum 2026. He identified investment in human resources and the preparation of a new generation of specialists and leaders as key components of Egypt's Second Generation of Water System.He stressed the involvement of young people in various stages of water management, from planning and strategy development to decision-making, implementation, and evaluation. Sewilam also pointed out the necessity of developing water-sector skills to confront challenges posed by climate change, extreme hydrological events, and the shift towards demand management and increased water-use efficiency.The Minister noted that expertise in remote sensing, satellite imagery, drones, modeling, digital decision-support systems, and artificial intelligence is becoming increasingly important for water specialists. Egypt, he added, has selected 130 promising young ministry employees through a competitive process to enhance their skills and acquaint them with modern technologies and management methods.Sewilam also highlighted the role of farmers and water users, including approximately 6,500 water-user associations, emphasizing the importance of involving young farmers in water-management decisions. He underscored Egypt's collaboration with Italy and African and Nile Basin countries on capacity-building and training, stating that the future of water management necessitates intergenerational and international cooperation, blending experience with innovation and technology.