Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Hani Swailem participated in the opening of the Euro-Mediterranean Water Forum 2026, hosted in Rome from 29 September to 2 October, bringing together ministers, officials, experts and representatives of international and regional organisations from the Mediterranean, Europe, the Balkans, North Africa and the Middle East to discuss water challenges and strengthen co‑operation in sustainable water management.
The forum features more than 100 conferences and meetings with broad international participation. Opening sessions included remarks by Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri, Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, FAO Director‑General Qu Dongyu, Acting Secretary‑General of the Union for the Mediterranean Fadi Haj Ali, and UN Secretary‑General’s Special Envoy for Water Retno Marsudi.
The event follows the second Union for the Mediterranean Ministerial Meeting on Water held in Rome on 28 September 2026, which adopted a ministerial declaration stressing regional solidarity and cross‑border co‑operation, sustainable access to drinking water and sanitation services, and the need to translate political commitments into practical initiatives, partnerships and projects.
During the forum, Swailem is taking part in a number of high‑level sessions on water security, non‑conventional water resources, water reuse, desalination, and regional and international co‑operation in addressing water scarcity challenges. The discussions also provide an opportunity to exchange expertise with ministers and international specialists on advancing sustainable water resources management and transforming policies into implementable solutions and projects.
