The Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation has announced the successful conclusion of the 9th Cairo Water Week (CWW), establishing its status as a premier global forum for dialogue on climate and water issues.
Minister Hani Swailem conveyed his sincere appreciation to President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi for his patronage and opening recorded address, and to Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly for attending the opening ceremony alongside 17 Egyptian ministers and governors, 20 international ministers, 5 deputy ministers, 4 water envoys, and 39 high-level dignitaries.
The closing ceremony brought together European Union Ambassador and Head of Delegation to Egypt, water ministers from Sudan, Congo-Brazzaville, Botswana, and Liberia, Qalyubia Governor, and representatives from regional and international bodies.
The ninth edition saw the engagement of 2,500 participants from 65 countries, including 185 ministerial delegation members and representatives from 118 organisations, featuring 490 speakers across 138 sessions (7 high-level), 5 competitions, an exhibition of 23 participants, and 4 signed memoranda of understanding.
This builds upon the legacy of the prior eight editions (2018–2025), which gathered 28,000 participants, 2,300 speakers, 650 organisations, 140 exhibitors, 43 competitions, and 20 agreements.
Key developments included Egypt assuming the presidency of the Arab Ministerial Council for Water and its Executive Bureau, with Sudan elected vice-chair.
Highlights featured 2026 UN Water Conference preparations, the launch of the African Water Facility Strategy 2026–2030, a Nile Basin Initiative session titled “The Nile: A Shared Opportunity,” and technical field visits.
Furthermore, a partnership between the Islamic Network for Water Resources Development and Management and Dutch partners was signed to construct 50 rainwater harvesting mountain reservoirs in Wadi Feiran, South Sinai.
Discussions covered digital transformation, water treatment and reuse, climate adaptation, the water-food-energy-ecosystems nexus, groundwater management, and international river basin cooperation.
Minister Swailem announced that the 10th Cairo Water Week will take place from October 31 to November 4, 2027 under the theme: “Water at a Crossroads: Global Milestones for Climate, Land, and Nature.”
