Egypt acknowledges FAO efforts in mitigating water and climate challenges

14 October 2018, Cairo -- At the opening session of the Cairo Water Week (CWW), H.E. Mohamed Abdel Aty, the Egyptian Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation praised the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) for its support to Egypt in the use of modern technology and renewable solar energy for irrigation and water pumping. The Minister also highlighted that FAO’s work in this area supported Egypt in monitoring the effects of climate and using new initiatives to mitigate these effects.

It is worth mentioning that FAO intervened and introduced a solar-powered irrigation system in the Nile Delta to lift water from belowground conduits and irrigate crop fields. The main aim of this technology is to reduce the Delta’s agriculture vulnerability to energy supply, shocks and shortages, and water scarcity concerns. In addition, the system used has reduced the negative environmental impacts, decreased soil pollution from diesel spill-overs and decreased green-house gas emissions.

The CWW is held under the auspices H.E Abdel Fatah al-Sisi, President of the Arab Republic of Egypt. The event is organized in cooperation with international partners and various international organizations. Discussions will focus on water issues and the need to raise awareness and enhance creativity to confront water challenges and support the integrated management of water resources.

More than 20 Egyptian ministers, as well as many foreign ministers, experts, scientists, and representatives of regional and international bodies are taking part in the CWW activities.