CAIRO – Egypt’s Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Hani Sweilem asserted that Cairo Water Week (CWW), which is convening annually, has become a landmark on the agenda of international water events as it gathers ministers and senior officials from various world countries, regional and international organizations, professors, scientists, university graduates as well as farmers.
Addressing an event titled “Meeting of Development Partners..Preparations for the sixth edition of CWW”, the minister said CWW is an important platform for Africa to raise its voice to the international community about challenges facing the water sector worldwide as a result of water scarcity and climate change.
Sweilem extended thanks to the European Union which has been considered a strategic partner since the establishment of CWW, voicing hope over continuing such partnership and expressed his appreciation for all partners, donors and international funding agencies.
The minister shed light on the big achievements realized over the past two years and CWW’s contributions to the international water agenda as Egypt has held the fifth edition of the CWW as a preparatory event for the UN Climate Conference (COP27), held in Sharm El Sheikh in November 2022, in addition to preparations for the UN Water Conference held in New York in March. CWW’s recommendations and results have been referred to the UN conference.
The minister affirmed that Egypt’s launching of the Action on Water, Adaptation, and Resilience (AWARe) international initiative in addressing water challenges has been a crystallization of Egypt’s successful efforts during COP27. It aims to decrease water waste worldwide and improve water supply, while supporting the implementation of mutually agreed-upon policies and methods for cooperative water-related adaptation, he added.
He also noted that Egypt will soon host the 13th general assembly meeting of the African Ministers’ Council on Water (AMCOW) in mid-June, adding that this event will witness the launching of the African center for training in the field of climate change.
As regards the sixth CWW, the minister said it aims to integrate water issues within climate action, discuss the effects of climate change on the water sector, enhance reliance on modern technology and innovations to meet water challenges in non-traditional ways, work to support and implement integrated water management policies and reach sustainable solutions for managing water resources to adapt to population growth and climate change.
The minister noted that Egypt is currently coordinating with the United Arab Emirates (the COP28 host) to emphasize the need to continue highlighting the strong interdependence between water and climate at the global level.
