Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Hani Sewilam said the water issue in Egypt is one of the most important pillars of its national security and a major axis for achieving sustainable development.
Sewilam made the remarks during a speech he delivered on Wednesday at the opening of the 4th Arab Water Conference held at the Arab League headquarters in Cairo.
The minister said Egypt is one of the world’s driest countries, with the amount of rain falling on the country estimated at about 1.3 billion cubic metres per year.
Up to 97 per cent of Egypt’s water resources come from the Nile River which flows from outside the country, he added.
Egypt today has 560 cubic metres of water available per person each year, putting the country below the global threshold of water poverty set at 1,000 cubic metres of water per person per year, Sewilam said.
It is expected that the annual share of water per capita will continue to decrease given the continued population increase and steady water resources, the minister said, noting that this piles more pressure on water and food security in Egypt.
Sewilam highlighted the efforts and measures taken to reduce the water gap, noting that the irrigation ministry has adopted a plan for the optimal management of water resources through large investments.
The ministry targets implementing a set of relevant measures in coordination with the ministries and authorities concerned in the country, he added.
This goes in line with the objectives of Egypt’s 2030 sustainable development strategy, the minister noted.
