Sharm El-Sheikh hosted the World Conference on Drowning Prevention which addressed one of the world’s most urgent but often overlooked challenges: the rising human toll of drowning.
The international gathering, held under the patronage of Minister of Youth and Sports Ashraf Sobhi, brought together government officials, global experts, humanitarian organisations, and technical specialists.
It was organised by the International Life Saving Federation (ILS), the Egyptian Diving and Lifesaving Federation, the World Health Organisation, and Bloomberg Philanthropies,
Adding to the significance of the event, Sharm El-Sheikh also hosted the General Assembly of the ILS. Chaired by ILS President Graham Ford, the assembly commended Egypt, particularly Sharm El-Sheikh, for its “outstanding organisation, generous hosting, and meticulous preparation”.
Throughout the assembly’s meetings, members reviewed major developments in the global lifesaving movement. A central topic was Australia’s proposal to include lifesaving as an official Olympic sport in the 2032 Olympic Games. Delegates examined technical reports, athlete-development plans, and strategic criteria required for Olympic inclusion. The assembly also confirmed South Africa as the host of the 2026 Lifesaving World Championships, while China and Italy announced their intention to compete for hosting rights in 2028.
In his address, Ford praised Egypt for delivering what he described as “a global model of professionalism”, especially through the impressive participation of volunteers and university students who contributed to the event’s operations.
He stressed that Egypt now holds a leading role in Africa in water safety and “the protection of the right to life”. Ford said that drowning is recognised by the United Nations and WHO as a major public health crisis, requiring unified national bodies and long-term, government-backed strategies. He commended Egypt’s newly announced national water safety strategy as a historic milestone, one that builds a strong foundation for reducing drowning rates, particularly in high-risk zones such as Alexandria and along Egypt’s coastlines.
Sobhi highlighted that the conference was “not merely an event but a knowledge platform with lasting implications”. Its discussions, he said, align with Egypt’s broader vision to integrate swimming and lifesaving skills into school curricula, strengthen data-collection systems, and develop risk-management policies that can be applied nationwide. He stressed that the insights gained from the conference will be used to shape new programmes and national frameworks designed to protect lives in all aquatic environments, positioning Egypt as a regional hub for specialised training and research in lifesaving disciplines.
Vice President of the ILC and President of the Egyptian Diving and Lifesaving Federation Sameh Al-Shazli said “Egypt is fully committed to leading the way in water safety and drowning prevention, not only within our borders but as a model for the region and the world. Through comprehensive programmes, rigorous training for lifeguards, awareness campaigns, and the development of safe aquatic environments, we aim to equip communities with the knowledge and resources needed to protect lives. Our mission is to ensure that every child and every citizen can enjoy water safely, while also inspiring other nations to prioritise drowning prevention as a public health and humanitarian issue. By combining expertise, innovation, and global collaboration, we are building a legacy of safety, preparedness, and resilience that will save lives for generations to come.”
Reflecting Egypt’s commitment to integrating sports with social impact, the Egyptian Diving and Lifesaving Federation announced the participation of Olympic swimmer Farida Osman, the fastest female swimmer in Egypt and the rest of Africa, as an official speaker. Known as “the Golden Fish”, Osman spoke with emotion about her lifelong connection to water. She noted that the very element that gave her “strength, purpose, and a dream” should never become a source of tragedy for children and young people. Her message carried a powerful call to action: to replace fear with knowledge, and hesitation with confidence, “one voice, one effort, and one child at a time”.
Parallel to the main conference sessions, several specialised workshops were launched, focusing on essential topics such as water safety education, flood-response training, and media engagement. A workshop organised by the WHO offered journalists practical guidance on how to support public awareness and communicate high-risk patterns, safety procedures, and protective measures.
Engi Al-Shazli, conference rapporteur and member of the African Lifesaving Federation, presented the Egyptian Diving and Lifesaving Federation’s comprehensive national strategy, developed in alignment with Egypt’s Vision 2030. She outlined six foundational pillars shaping the country’s approach: updated governance and legislation; nationwide awareness programmes; the development of safe aquatic environments; advanced training for a new generation of lifeguards; research, innovation, and smart technologies; and enhanced engineering standards for beaches and swimming facilities.
She also highlighted the success of the Egypt Without Drowning initiative launched in 2020. One of its flagship achievements was the transformation of Al-Nakhil Beach, once closed due to high-risk conditions and fully reopened in 2023, after being secured and reconstructed according to international safety standards.
* A version of this article appears in print in the 27 November, 2025 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly
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