Minister of Water resources and Irrigation, Hani Swailem, and a high-level visiting Uzbek delegation led by Ilham Ibrahimovic, First Deputy Prime Minister of Uzbekistan, have discussed ways of enhancing bilateral co-operation in water resources and sustainable development.
They also sought to activate existing co-operation frameworks between the two countries.
Swailem highlighted the importance of activating the memorandum of understanding that was signed between the two countries on water resources.
The MoU covers co-operation in modernising irrigation and drainage systems, improving water productivity and efficiency, exchanging expertise, conducting joint research, and organising specialised workshops and training programmes.
The Minister referred to the second generation of the Water System 2.0, which represents a major platform for enhancing technical co-operation with Uzbekistan through exchange of expertise in digital water management, remote monitoring and measurement systems, SCADA systems, decision-support systems, artificial intelligence, early-warning systems and rainwater harvesting.
Co-operation could also cover the development of pumping stations and the use of energy-efficient technologies, as well as smart irrigation applications, Swailem said.
Egypt is ready to offer the results of pilot applications implemented in these fields, organise field visits to showcase digital and smart applications, and explore the possibility of implementing joint projects with Uzbekistan.
For their part, the Uzbek delegation outlined priority areas in which it seeks co-ordination with Egypt, including water reuse, greater reliance on modern technologies, digital transformation, measurement systems, water resources management and groundwater management.
The two sides agreed to hold the first meeting of their joint working groups to begin practical co-operation in these areas.
