Egypt’s Minister of Irrigation and Water Resources Hani Sweilam stressed the importance of co-operation with the World Bank (WB) during Egypt’s presidency of the UN climate change conference to be held in the Red Sea resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh in November.
Technical co-operation is needed, together with an exchange of expertise, in order to boost climate action, the minister said during a meeting with World Bank Group Advisor on climate change Dr. Stephen Hammer on Thursday.
During the meeting, the minister presented the main points of the international climate change and water adaptation initiative that Egypt will launch during COP27 summit in co-operation with several international partners.
This initiative is aimed at connecting each country’s water resources management policies with its climate action as well as enhancing early warning systems to reduce vulnerability and improve response to natural disasters.
Sweilam also spoke about Water Day, to be organised as part of COP27.
Several sessions will be held on this day to tackle water security and sustainable development, water challenges in Africa, and ways to cope with rising sea levels.
The minister also spoke about the programmes of the water pavilion in preparation by the ministry as part of the COP27 conference.
For his part, Hammer said the WB is keen to maintain a constructive relationship with Cairo, stressing the importance of joint cooperation at the level of climate action.
