Hani Sweilem: There is no water scarcity in the countries upstream of the Nile… and there is no justification for competition over water
Dr. Hani Sweilem, Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, said that Egypt suffers from water scarcity, as it is considered one of the driest countries with an annual rainfall rate that does not exceed 1.3 billion cubic meters. In contrast, the amount of rain falling in the countries of the Upper Nile River exceeds 1,600 billion cubic meters annually. Only 3% of this rain reaches Egypt, which confirms that there is no water scarcity in the upper Nile River countries and therefore there is no justification for competition over water. On the contrary, it must be a source of cooperation between the countries of the basin.
“Suwailem” added: In the opening session of the “Seventh Cairo Water Week” Which is held under the title “Water and Climate: Building Resilient Communities” In the presence of Dr. Mostafa Madbouly and a number of ministers, heads of delegations, ambassadors and heads of international organizations, he stated that in confronting these challenges, Egypt is making huge and continuous efforts at all national, regional and international levels, explaining that at the national level we are developing comprehensively through many projects and procedures under the umbrella of the “Second Generation System.” “Irrigation 2.0”, where we are developing the monitoring and operating system at the High Dam with the latest technologies and expertise, and Egypt is working during its presidency of the Council of African Water Ministers “AMCA” To advance progress in the water issue at the level of the African continent, in addition to highlighting the continent’s challenges on the global agenda, and holding discussions with donors to mobilize more funding to achieve water security on the continent.
The Minister of Irrigation explained that at the regional level Egypt adheres to the importance of adopting the rules and principles of international transboundary water law, with the aim of ensuring fairness and avoiding harm. Egypt is keen to strengthen the bonds of cooperation with the Nile Basin countries, which is represented in many bilateral cooperation projects implemented and funded by the Egyptian state in Kenya and Uganda. And South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Burundi, Tanzania, and Rwanda, which consists of implementing hundreds of projects in areas, the most important of which are clearing waterways of aquatic weeds, dams for protection and water harvesting, providing water for drinking and domestic uses, resisting the effects of climate change, and training and capacity building.
< p>«Suwailem» At the international level, Egypt has actively participated in all international water initiatives, as it was able, in cooperation with international partners, to place water at the heart of climate action. It also played an effective role in joint leadership with the State of Japan in the third interactive dialogue on water and climate, which resulted in recommendations It helps in drawing the road map for the water decade agenda until the year 2028.
The Minister of Irrigation pointed out that Egypt is working on digital transformation in all sectors, and we are currently moving towards using environmentally friendly natural materials to protect beaches and rehabilitate canals, in addition to transforming Gradual distribution of water at levels for disposal, digital transformation in the management of the water system, in addition to the introduction of advanced treatment technology and water desalination for agriculture, governance of groundwater management, and attention to training and raising the efficiency of workers, and scientific research is one of the most important pillars of the irrigation system 2.0.< /p>
Swilem drew attention In addition to launching the (AWARe) initiative to adapt to climate change, which more than 30 countries have joined so far, the “African Center for Water and Climate Adaptation” (PACWA) has been launched, where two hundred trainees from Africa have already been trained, and financial funds have been provided for training. More than three thousand African brothers during the next three years, and partnerships have been concluded with the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), UNESCO, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). With the aim of providing technical support and formulating projects on the ground in African and developing countries.
Cairo Water Week this year is distinguished by the participation of more than thirty regional and international entities, as the week includes five general sessions and 155 sub-sessions, and the event also includes an exhibition in which 25 participate A local and international institution.
African Water Week is held under the slogan “Putting water and sanitation at the heart of achieving Agenda 2063…the Africa we want.”
