Egyptian Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Mohamed Abdel-Ati has revealed Egypt's 2017-2037 strategic national plan to overcome the problem of water scarcity. In statements made to MENA in Beirut during his participation in the 7th Beirut Water Week, which opened today under the title 'Mediterranean Contributions to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development,' the minister said nine ministries took part in drawing up the plan, whose cost amounted to $50 billion. The three-day event is held under the auspices of Lebanese Energy Minister Nada Boustani. Abdel-Ati said that the state is keen on encouraging farmers to use modern irrigation systems to provide water necessary for farming, pointing out that Egypt is also keen on boosting ties with African countries, especially Nile Basin states, by sharing all successful experiments in the water issue to them, which benefits the whole of Africa and achieves joint interests. The minister said that the state's strategic plan is based on four axes; improving the quality of water, rationalising water, developing water resources, and providing an appropriate environment for cooperating with the state agencies to render the strategy a success. Abdel-Ati said that the rationalisation process includes introducing modern irrigation systems and working with research centres to grow crops that use less water, pointing out that 320 facilities have been established for protection from floods and the storage of rainwater to be used for various purposes. The minister also said that water desalination stations have been established in urban areas and new cities to overcome the water scarcity problem.
