FAO takes part in Cairo Water Week

17 October 2019, Cairo -- The escalation of water scarcity is one of the most impelling challenges facing the Near East and North Africa (NENA) countries. Fast paced population growth, changing consumption patterns, urbanization, rising water and food demands, growing energy needs, environmental degradation, climate change, water-related natural disasters are all factors that are adding pressure to the already limited resources across the region.

Acknowledging the urgency and scale of the water issues faced by countries of the region, the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization will take active part in Cairo Water Week, which is convened by the Egyptian Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation in Cairo from 14-18 October 2018.

The 2019 Cairo Water Week is organized under the auspices of Abel Fattah Sisi, President of the Arab Republic of Egypt.

"The Near East and North Africa Region, is one of the most arid regions in the world, with 10 times less water available per capita than the world average." Mohamed AlHamdi, FAO Senior Water and Land Officer for the Near East and North Africa stated.

"Access to water is a fundamental need for food security, human health and agriculture, and its looming scarcity in the region is a huge challenge requiring an urgent and massive response," AlHamdi added.

The FAO will contribute technical expertise to some four sessions of the Forum, bringing forward challenges and solution options related to the use and management of scarce water resources in the region.

The event will engage all water-interest groups, governments, civil society representatives, academia and stakeholders from the region in debates about the current water policies and actions and their efficacy in contributing to the water security of the region's countries.

During the event, FAO will provide proposals that can support countries in the region identifying and streamlining policies, governance, and best practices in agriculture water management, which can significantly contribute to boosting agriculture productivity, improving food security and sustaining water resources.

The FAO's contribution to Cairo Water Week is part of the Regional Initiative on Water Scarcity launched in 2014 to promote cooperation among NENA countries for the sustainable improvement of agricultural productivity in a context of water scarcity and climatic changes.