Egypt's Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Hany Swailem called for urgent regional cooperation to address intensifying water challenges across the Arab world during the opening session of the Seventh Arab Water Week in Jordan on Sunday. Speaking on behalf of Arab states, the Egyptian minister underscored the growing strain on shared water resources in the region, where 21 countries rely on transboundary surface or groundwater. "This raises the need for robust cooperation under international law, especially in the face of unilateral actions," Minister Swailem said, referencing Ethiopia's controversial dam operations. Over 90 per cent of the Arab population faces critical water scarcity, compounded by climate change, population growth, and extreme weather events, he noted. In response, many countries have boosted water sector funding and launched national strategies to close the widening gap between supply and demand. Minister Swailem emphasised the importance of an integrated "Water-Energy-Food-Environment Nexus" approach, calling it a strategic framework to improve resource management and accelerate progress toward UN Sustainable Development Goals. 'Unprecedented water crisis' in Gaza He also delivered a strong message on Gaza, warning of an "unprecedented water crisis" resulting from sustained damage to infrastructure during ongoing hostilities. He described the situation as one of the worst humanitarian disasters in recent history and urged the international community to ensure clean water access and infrastructure reconstruction. Egypt, he added, has overhauled its own water strategy under the "Irrigation 2.0" plan, using satellite imagery, AI tools, and smart irrigation systems to improve water efficiency. The country has also made major investments in desalination and wastewater reuse, with new facilities set to raise treated water capacity to 26 billion cubic metres by 2026. Minister Swailem concluded by stressing that Arab states are playing a growing role in global climate and environmental diplomacy, highlighting recent COP conferences hosted in Egypt, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia. Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English Subediting: Y.Yasser
