File Photo: river Nile. AFP
Safeguarding water resources is a shared responsibility, Minister Sewilam said in remarks to MENA on the sidelines of his participation in the 12th World Urban Forum (WUF12).
He added that the Egyptian state is undertaking significant efforts to prevent pollution and waste.
According to MENA, one prominent example of these efforts is the ministry’s campaign to raise public awareness about the challenges caused by limited water resources, population growth, and climate change.
MENA noted that the campaign aims to educate citizens on the importance of rational water usage and preventing pollution, in collaboration with various ministries, institutions, and NGOs across Egypt.
Broader water challenges call for regional cooperation
While Sewilam’s recent statements underscore national efforts to protect water resources, they come against a backdrop of broader, more complex challenges facing Egypt in managing its water needs.
Egypt faces significant water shortages as the Nile provides approximately 97 percent of its water needs. The country accesses only around 59.6 billion cubic metres annually out of the required 114 billion, resulting in a substantial deficit.
Egypt invests heavily in water recycling to bridge this gap, with over $15 billion in investments to sustain this practice.
During the
7th Cairo Water Week in October, Sewilam highlighted the significance of cooperation among Nile Basin countries, emphasizing that inclusivity and representation of all member states are critical for effective transboundary water management.
Additionally, the minister expressed concerns over divisions in the Nile Basin due to exclusionary practices by upstream Nile Basin countries to the downstream countries, leading to fragmented River Basin Organizations instead of a unified body.
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