Egyptian Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Hani Swailem took part on Monday in the opening of the high-level segment of the 17th Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP17), being held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
The high-level segment brings together ministers, heads of delegations and representatives of international organisations to discuss ways to enhance global efforts to combat desertification, land degradation and drought, while enhancing the resilience of countries and communities to growing climate-related pressures.
Swailem stressed that water, land, climate and food security are closely interconnected, requiring integrated policies and solutions that maximise the sustainable use of natural resources, promote sound water and land management, and shift the focus from responding to crises after they occur to strengthening preparedness and resilience.
Egypt has been contributing its extensive experience in addressing water scarcity, including improving water-use efficiency, expanding the reuse of agricultural drainage water, implementing climate adaptation projects and promoting technology and innovation in water management, the minister said.
Swailem also highlighted the importance of strengthening international co-operation and mobilising the necessary financing and investment to help countries most vulnerable to drought, desertification and climate-related challenges.
During the high-level segment, Swailem is scheduled to participate in several dialogues and ministerial sessions, where he will present Egypt’s vision for addressing drought, strengthening the water-land-climate nexus and advancing integrated approaches to sustainable resource management.
The minister will also highlight Egypt’s efforts to promote greater resilience and support international action to address the interconnected challenges of water scarcity, land degradation, climate change and food security.
