PM says water “existential issue” for Egyptians

Madbouli’s comments came in a recorded speech to the opening session of the fourth edition of Cairo Water Week, which kicked off on Sunday.

The event is held under the auspices of President Abdel Fattah El Sisi and runs from October 24 to 28.

In his speech, the premier explained that Egypt seeks through this event to hold discussions on the contribution of the Water Decade 2018-2028 to the implementation of water related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

This decade comes at a time when the world is witnessing enormous challenges in order to guarantee access to water for all peoples, Madbouli added.

Among these world challenges are water scarcity, the increase in consumption rates of renewable water resources, the steady rise in population growth rates, environmental deterioration, the outbreak of epidemics, climate change and mega projects that are established to exploit international rivers in an ill-considered manner, and without taking into account the importance of maintaining the safety and sustainability of international water resources, Madbouli said.

He went on to say that this event provides an ideal opportunity for presenting Egypt’s strategy for accelerating the implementation of the water-related sustainable development agenda.

This agenda is based on providing clean drinking water and treating sewage water, in addition to addressing water scarcity, Madbouli noted.

He explained that the State is working hard to implement the Egyptian countryside project that aims to develop some 4,500 villages, at a total cost of USD 40 billion.

This project is meant to eradicate poverty and provide basic services, including potable water and sewage services, as well as modernizing irrigation methods and rehabilitating canals, the prime minister said.

He cited that the National Water Resources Plan includes the allocation of USD 50 billion for enhancing water quality, water conservation and development of new water sources.