Egypt’s Minister of Irrigation and Water Resources, Hani Sewilam, called for enhanced cooperation among the Nile Basin countries to implement the principles of the “water, food, energy, and ecosystems nexus”, ensuring mutual benefit for all involved.
In his speech at the opening of the training program workshop for Mediterranean countries, “Financing Climate Projects to Implement Water, Food, Energy, and Ecosystems Nexus Projects,” he added that the Arab region is one of the most water-scarce regions in the world.
He explained that 19 of the 22 Arab countries suffer from water scarcity, more than 90 percent of the population of Arab countries faces critical levels of water scarcity, and that 21 Arab countries rely on shared international water resources.
Sewilam warned that Egypt in particular faces exceptional water challenges due to its low rainfall rates and its status as one of the driest countries in the world.
It relies almost entirely on the Nile River to meet more than 97 percent of its water needs.
These challenges are compounded by rising temperatures and the accompanying increase in water consumption, he warned.
The Minister of Irrigation explained that, in the face of these challenges, it has become necessary to transition to the “Second Generation Irrigation System 2.0,” which seeks to rely more heavily on modern technology in water management.
Sewilam referred to the use of satellite imagery, mathematical models, and drone photography to calculate crop composition and improve water management and distribution.
He also highlighted the modernization of water facilities, such as the the High Dam and the Aswan Reservoir, the expansion of smart irrigation systems, and the shift to water distribution using discharges instead of levels.
Egypt is continuing its plans to expand the treatment and reuse of agricultural drainage water, he said, alongside using environmentally friendly natural materials to protect beaches and rehabilitate canals, and govern groundwater using digital databases.
Egypt faces exceptional water challenges: Irrigation Minister Egypt Independent.
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