Speaking at the Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystems Nexus (WEFE NEXUS) in Egypt and the MENA Region conference, which was held under the theme Exploring and Achieving the Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystems Nexus for a Sustainable Future, Sewilam outlined the country’s pressing water challenges.
He noted that Egypt's annual water needs are roughly 114 billion cubic metres, while available resources total about 60 billion cubic metres, including 21 billion cubic metres of reused water.
To help bridge the gap, Egypt also imports food equivalent to 33.5 billion cubic metres of virtual water annually.
This significant shortfall, he said, has driven the launch of major projects, policies, and initiatives under the Irrigation 2.0 umbrella.
What is Irrigation 2.0?
Sewilam explained that this second-generation irrigation model uses modern technology and scientific research to optimize water use. It focuses on building capacity among water system managers and increasing public awareness around conservation.
The strategy has nine strategic pillars:
- Water treatment and desalination for food production
- Digital transformation
- Smart water management
- Infrastructure rehabilitation
- Climate adaptation
- Governance
- Human resource development
- Public awareness
- International engagement
International collaboration
Sewilam’s remarks were part of a session organized under the SURENEXUS Project, funded by the PRIMA Initiative (Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area), a Eropean Union-backed programme promoting applied research in water, energy, and food across 19 European and Mediterranean countries.
Project partners include the UNESCO Chair in Sustainability at the Polytechnic University of Catalonia (UPC), Egypt’s PDS Center for Economic and Social Development, Future University, and Morocco’s National Institute for Agricultural Research.
In December 2024, the ministry launched a national campaign, "Ala Al-Qad" (“As Much as Needed”), promoting responsible water use and aiming to cut drinking water consumption by 30 percent.
The campaign also targets pollution reduction and highlights the urgency of conservation amid Egypt’s growing climate, population, and geopolitical pressures.
Short link: