Egypt’s Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Professor Hani Sweilem reaffirmed that applied research must support the Ministry’s priorities by delivering innovative, practical solutions to water management challenges.
He also stressed that scientific research and innovation remain key pillars of the second generation of the Water System 2.0.
These remarks were made during a meeting the minister called on Thursday to review preparations for launching the second phase of the Egypt-Netherlands Applied Research Programme (Water-JCAR).
Attended by ministry officials and Deltares Institute consultant Mohamed Youssef, the meeting further reviewed the achievements of the programme’s first phase, including a number of significant research studies, with discussions focusing on following up their findings and building on them during the next phase.
Participants also examined the proposed components of the second phase, which will focus on developing an integrated digital system for water management and distribution from Upper Egypt through the main and branch canals.
The system will take into account crop patterns and the impacts of climate change to improve the efficiency of water allocation and distribution.
In this respect, the minister highlighted the importance of strengthening training and capacity-building in water resources management and irrigation through modern technologies, while reinforcing the role of water user associations in managing water systems and equipping their members to carry out their responsibilities in line with the newly adopted regulations.
Sweilem directed that preparations for the programme’s second phase be based on an integrated model linking forecasting, planning and operation within the framework of the second-generation Water System 2.0.
He also instructed the preparation of a detailed implementation plan in coordination with the Ministry’s sectors and technical partners.
The minister further stressed that all research conducted under the Water-JCAR programme should be aligned with the Ministry’s strategy, objectives and project priorities to ensure practical application and maximise impact.
He also underscored the importance of sustaining the scientific partnership between Egypt and the Netherlands through the launch of the programme’s second phase, building on the achievements of previous cooperation and advancing applied research that supports the sustainable management of water resources.
