Cairo Water Week Concludes as Premier Global Forum for Addressing Water Challenges

Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Hani Sewilam has declared that Cairo Water Week has solidified its position as a crucial international platform for dialogue, expertise exchange, and partnership development aimed at tackling global water challenges. In a statement released on Friday, October 30, 2026, Minister Sewilam extended his gratitude to the international organizations, national institutions, and companies that provided support for the ninth edition of the event. This year's summit, which ran from October 25 to 29, was held under the patronage of President Abdel Fattah El Sisi and centered on the theme “Water as a Catalyst for Peace, Shared Prosperity and a Sustainable Planet.”

The Minister highlighted that the event's success and extensive international participation underscore the vital role of partnerships in achieving sustainable water development. He reaffirmed the Ministry's dedication to enhancing collaboration with international organizations, research institutions, and the private sector. These collaborations are essential for the implementation of the second-generation water system (2.0), the advancement of the National Water Resources and Irrigation Strategy 2050, and the promotion of regional and international cooperation.

Minister Sewilam specifically commended the European Union and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) for co-organizing the event. He also acknowledged the significant contributions of UNESCO, the UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). Further recognition was given to the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) and the International Water Management Institute (IWMI), along with other partners such as GIZ, the German Development Bank (KFW), the Dutch and British embassies, IHE Delft, and the American University in Cairo.

The Minister also expressed thanks to Germany’s RWTH Aachen University for their support in AI-based training and for developing a presentation for the Irrigation Museum located in the New Administrative Capital. National sponsors, including the Future of Egypt for Sustainable Development Authority, the Agricultural Bank of Egypt, Gennat Agricultural Company, and PepsiCo Egypt, were also praised for their contributions to strengthening water and food security efforts.

The five-day event, which concluded on Thursday, featured 137 technical and scientific sessions and competitions. It saw the participation of ministers, governors, ambassadors, and representatives from international and regional organizations, including FAO, the EU, UNESCO, IWMI, and the WWC.