President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi received on Sunday the heads of delegations of the participating countries in the first “Cairo Water Week”, at Al-Ittihadiya Palace in Cairo, according to a statement from the presidency spokesperson Bassam Rady.
During the meeting, Al-Sisi expressed Egypt’s eagerness to organise such a conference in order to raise awareness over water issues, and boost innovations to be able to face the urgent water needs, amid the challenges that the water sector is facing worldwide.
Mohamed Abdel Ati, Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation attended the meeting.
The first “Cairo Water Week” is being held under the theme “Water Conservation for Sustainable Development” from 14 to 18 October 2018. A number of officials, water leaders, experts, and decision makers representing over 100 countries, will attend the conference to discuss and share their ideas on common escalating water problems and issues.
Al-Sisi stressed that Egypt is looking to advance mutual cooperation and exchange experiences in the field of water issues with other countries, particularly in building abilities, and establishing projects to improve the benefit from available water resources.
According to the statement, the president called for not politicising water issues, stressing Egypt’s enthusiasm towards boosting cooperation with the Nile River Basin countries in order to reach mutual interests and preserve the Nile waters. He also added that Egypt supports the efforts of Nile River Basin countries in benefiting from the Nile, without harming the Egyptian people.
The first day of the conference included sessions addressing water management for sustainable development, in addition to the 4th Session of the Islamic Conference of OIC Ministers Responsible for Water, and the 1st African Young Water Professionals Forum.
