FAO concludes its functions at Cairo Water Week 2023

For two days in the Cairo Water Week 2023, The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) organized the "FAO Track at the CWW 2023" in collaboration with the Egyptian Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation and other development partners.

The FAO Track at CWW aimed to provide a platform to deliberate and present FAO’s various initiatives, projects, and activities related to water planning, management, governance, productivity, and sustainability. The event coincided with FAO World Food Day 2023, which highlights water as a fundamental resource for life on Earth.

The FAO Track at CWW covered technical sessions that covered a range of topics related to water resources and agriculture, including:

1. Non-Conventional Water Resources: Addressing Opportunities and Challenges in the Context of Changing Climate and the Global Agricultural Commodity Market
2. Navigating the NEXUS: Synergies and strategies for Water, Food and Energy in the MENA Region
3. Harnessing Open Access Data and Earth Observation Technologies to Tackle Water Scarcity: A Data-Driven Approach
4. A Multi-Dimensional and Coordinated Response to Cope with Drought Challenge to Achieve Food Security in the Arab Region
5. Climate-Resilient Water Systems and Infrastructure for Sustainable Agrifood Systems
6. Enhancing Sustainable Agriculture: FAO Supported Irrigation Projects in Egypt – A Focus on Achievements and Future Pathways

In addition to the technical sessions, FAO sponsored several competitions, including Best Water Conservation Practices, The Three Minutes Thesis, and Young Water Inventors. FAO also supported organizing the 5th Meeting of the High-Level Joint Water-Agriculture Technical Committee (HLJTC) of the League of Arab States and a meeting with country/government representatives from Tunisia, Yemen, Bahrain, Egypt, and Sultanate of Oman to discuss possible areas of cooperation.

Overall, the FAO Track at CWW provided a platform for experts, policy makers, researchers, and stakeholders to discuss innovative approaches, best practices, and potential solutions to address water resources and agriculture issues. The events highlighted the importance of sustainable and productive non-conventional water usage, integrated planning, efficient resources management, and climate-smart solutions in achieving water and food security and sustainable development.