Egypt’s Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, Hani Sewilam, has called for enhanced scientific collaboration and regional coordination to address escalating water challenges, during a high-level event in Paris marking the 50th anniversary of UNESCO’s International Hydrological Programme (IHP).
Delivering a keynote address at the celebration, which brought together a select group of senior ministers from around the world, Sewilam commended UNESCO for convening the event at a time of “unprecedented escalation in global water challenges.” He emphasised that water has become one of the most pressing global issues and declared that “science is no longer a luxury, but a necessity” for achieving efficient water management and resource sustainability.
Sewilam highlighted the relevance of the IHP’s ninth phase, “Science for a Water Secure World in a Changing Environment,” describing it as a timely call to harness research and innovation to bolster water security. The current phase prioritises areas such as scientific research, education in the context of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, data-driven knowledge, integrated water resources management, and evidence-based governance.
Turning to Egypt’s own situation, Sewilam pointed out the country’s extreme reliance on the Nile River and the fact that its per capita water share has fallen to half the international threshold for water scarcity. This, he noted, places Egypt among the most water-stressed nations in the world and underscores the urgent need for policies rooted in efficiency, innovation, and science-based solutions.
