Egypt's Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Hani Sewilam met with Alessandro Fracassati, the outgoing Resident Representative of the UNDP in Egypt, to discuss Green Climate Fund (GCF)-funded projects, the Cabinet reported. Sewilam commended Fracassati for enhancing cooperation between the ministry and UNDP, citing the success of the Enhancing Climate Change Adaptation in the Nile Delta and North Coast project, funded by a $31.4 million grant from the GCF. Sewilam underlined the project's role in combating sea-level rise and extreme weather events affecting Egypt's low-lying coastal governorates — Port Said, Damietta, Dakahlia, Kafr El Sheikh, and Beheira. Protective barriers stretching approximately 69 km have been constructed, alongside the installation of monitoring stations in the Mediterranean to collect data on waves, sea levels, and wind conditions. An integrated coastal zone management plan is also in place to safeguard investments and natural resources while promoting sustainable development. He added that the project uses environmentally friendly, low-cost natural materials sourced locally to build longitudinal sandbreakers, designed with community participation to ensure long-term sustainability. This project is part of wider ministry efforts to protect coastal areas from the adverse effects of climate change, safeguard citizens and infrastructure, secure agricultural land from flooding, stabilise industrial zones and new urban developments, and protect vulnerable villages from sea intrusion. The meeting also addressed expanding reliance on desalination for intensive food production to meet global food security challenges. Sewilam highlighted the need for increased international focus and scientific research to reduce desalination costs and enhance the economic viability of using desalinated water in agriculture. Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English Subediting: M. S. Salama
