Born and raised in the Delta City of Mansoura, a lifelong passion for water issues has been instilled in an Egyptian researcher until he turned his passion into a career. Hassan Aboelnga’s zeal coupled with hard work took him from Egypt to the world. He is currently Researcher and Chair of Urban Water Security at International Water Resources Association and TH Köln.
“I am committed to achieving water security, especially in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, the most water-scarce region in the world,” he said.
From Mansoura and Cairo in Egypt, to Amman in Jordan, and Cologne and Kassel in Germany, Aboelnga has occupied many other positions with focus on water security and sustainable development in the MENA region. He is also vice chair of Middle East Water. Aboelnga told the Egyptian Mail about recent developments in water and environment in MENA.
Breaking environment deadlock
The Egyptian researcher expressed his pride that Egypt will lead the world in breaking the deadlock on international climate at COP27.
“As countries struggle with the consequences of the war in Ukraine besides trying to find their way out of the Covid-19 pandemic and meeting their climate ambition, two different visions — from developed and developing countries — are emerging,” he said.
Aboelnga said developed countries are eager to grow their economies for higher prosperity and could afford the transition to climate-resilient development to respond to the climate impacts on critical sectors such as water, agriculture, and energy.
Meanwhile, developing countries are grappling with insufficient financial capacity compared to developed nations.
Therefore, Aboelnga believes that COP27 will play a vital role in finding answers to questions on how we can create a more sustainable future without exacerbating inequalities between developed and developing countries — especially when the latter are emitting relatively little CO2 but suffering disproportionately from the effects of climate change. What are the important adaptation policies and measures that should be voiced? What are the implications for water and food security, and the sustainable development goals?
Water crucial to climate mitigation
Being actively engaged in international forums, Aboelnga has shared panels with decision makers and senior officials. His academic background coupled with his practical activities has enabled him to leave a mark on water file. He stressed that water solutions are at heart of climate action. “Water is the main medium through which we will feel the effects of climate change, in terms of increasing the intensity and frequency of climate extremes such as floods and droughts. Addressing water issues is critical to climate change adaptation and reducing the negative impacts of water-related disasters,” he said. Å
Water is also critical for successful climate change mitigation, by protecting and restoring freshwater ecosystems such as mangroves and wetlands reduces GHG emissions.
Aboelnga went on to say climate change is also feeding transboundary water conflicts, poverty, instability, hunger and violence in the Nile Basin.
“So, I believe, comprehensive co-operation is essential to tackling climate change,” he noted. “However, co-operation on climate change faces certain major challenges.”
The challenges include mutual recrimination between developed and developing countries, upstream and downstream water countries (the narrative problem) in addition to the zero-sum arithmetic of reducing the GHGs emissions (the problem of climate governance).
Shaping future of MENA
Given the fact that Aboelnga studied civil engineering and integrated water resources management in universities in both water secure and scarce cities, he became fully aware that the issue of water security is part and parcel of national security.
“Rethinking water security is a must to achieve sustainable development in Egypt and the Arab region in general.”
Despite the numerous water challenges, Aboelnga said solving water security challenges requires a broad and holistic vision. Regarding this approach, Abelnga has written numerous publications, from books and research articles to blog articles to reach more audiences worldwide.
“My entire career journey is centred on all four aspects of water and sustainable development-based knowledge: generation, synthesis, application and dissemination,” he said.
In his opinion, there has been indeed progress towards sustainable development goal number 6 on ensuring water for all, but not nearly enough, and some challenges remain which the MENA region in particular has to face in the near future.
“Water security has shaped the region in the past and will inevitably shape the future as a vital resource,” he said.
Benefits of digitisation
Digital technologies could have a positive impact on the water sector, the researcher said.
“We now have unprecedented access to sense and collect information about everything. The water sector has already started to benefit from the digital transformation, he added.
Aboelnga also stressed the paramount importance of Integrating data and digital transformation in the water sector with the aim of conserving water resources.
“In a nutshell, striking a balance between water users and water-related policies, leads to behavioural change, driving innovation andÅenhancing community resilience, especially in a fragile context like the Covid-19 pandemic.”
Now, the researcher is working on a new interdisciplinary master programme on water for Egypt.
“I am keen to apply digital transformation of the water sectors in the Arab region.”
Discussion about this post