Egypt proposed on Thursday the establishment of a UNESCO Chair for the Governance and Management of Shared International Waters, as part of efforts to strengthen regional cooperation on transboundary river basins, particularly in Africa. The announcement was made by Egypt's Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Hany Swailem during a high-level session held on the sidelines of the 50th anniversary celebration of UNESCO's Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme (IHP) in Paris. Minister Swailem praised UNESCO's contributions to advancing water science and education over the past five decades and reaffirmed Egypt's commitment to joint initiatives that promote water sustainability, climate resilience, and capacity building, especially across African nations. "Egypt is proud of its long-standing partnership with UNESCO," Minister Swailem said. "Our collaboration supports the sustainable use of water, strengthens regional dialogue, and builds resilience to climate change." With the country almost entirely reliant on the Nile River for its freshwater supply, Minister Sewilam said Egypt is managing its limited water resources with high efficiency to ensure long-term sustainability. He highlighted Egypt's support for the FRIEND/Nile Project under the IHP, describing it as a key platform for scientific cooperation, hydrological research, and data sharing among Nile Basin countries. Egypt's proposal for a UNESCO Chair aims to boost research, education, and regional dialogue on the governance of shared water resources—a growing concern amid mounting climate pressures. Minister Sewilam also outlined Egypt's recent international efforts to put water at the centre of global climate policy. These include its co-leadership with Japan in the Water for Climate dialogue at the 2023 UN Water Conference, and the launch of the Action on Water Adaptation and Resilience (AWARe) Initiative at COP27, hosted by Egypt. On the domestic front, he said Egypt is undergoing a major transformation of its water management system under the Irrigation 2.0 Strategy, which leverages digital tools, satellite monitoring, drone technology, and advanced modeling to improve water efficiency and governance. Minister Sewilam said Egypt's approach reflects its belief in science-based policymaking as a cornerstone of climate resilience and sustainable development. Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English
