Sharm el-sheikh: Sameh El-Shazly, head of the Egyptian Diving and Rescue Federation, expressed satisfaction with the successful conclusion of the World Conference on Drowning Prevention, held in Sharm El-Sheikh. The event was under the patronage of Youth and Sports Minister Ashraf Sobhy and attracted around 500 participants from 55 countries.
According to State Information Service Egypt, delegates, including International Life Saving Federation President Graham Ford and its executive board members, praised Egypt's organization of the event and the significant involvement of young Egyptian volunteers. The conference featured workshops and discussions where countries shared their experiences in reducing drowning incidents, underscoring growing global attention to water-safety and rescue systems.
El-Shazly emphasized that Egypt's hosting of the conference was driven by its strong humanitarian focus and alignment with the country's Vision 2030. He acknowledged the contribution of Egyptian university volunteers, including teams from King Salman University in Sharm El-Sheikh, in ensuring a seamless event, which reinforced the federation's trust in young people.
El-Shazly also congratulated federation members for the awards received during the conference, attributing progress to collective support across the organization. He highlighted Egypt's "National Strategy for Drowning Prevention," developed by the federation and adopted by the Youth and Sports Ministry. Notably, Egypt is among the first countries to formulate a formal national rescue strategy, whereas some long-established rescue nations still lack one.
The strategy encompasses all water bodies, from beaches to pools, and proposes establishing a national rescue authority to coordinate implementation, collaborate with state agencies, and enhance public awareness. El-Shazly stated that while the federation provides technical input, executing the plan requires collaboration with ministries responsible for tourism, housing, education, and higher education.
He affirmed Egypt's commitment to continue working with international and local partners to strengthen prevention programs, build capacity, and prioritize the safety of children and young people.