The US Government, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), supported the first annual International Water Symposium this week in Alexandria, bringing together leading US and Egyptian experts to discuss the latest advancements in the water sector and find solutions to the climate crisis in Egypt and around the world. Speaking at the opening session, USAID Egypt Mission Director Leslie Reed said: "Around the world, climate change and growing populations are putting pressure on water resources. By bringing together US and Egyptian experts in the fields of water security and climate change, we are advancing the US Government's global water strategy, which lays out a vision for a water secure world where floods and droughts are managed, and people have sustainable supplies of water. In Egypt, we are proud to be a part of a strong team working to make this vision a reality." The symposium is hosted by Alexandria University through the Center of Excellence for Water, a $30m USAID-funded project that links academic researchers from Egypt and the United States with public and private sector partners to influence public policy, promote efficient water use, and develop practical solutions for water management. The Center of Excellence for Water brings together USAID and the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, along with six Egyptian and four American universities, including the American University in Cairo, Alexandria University, Ain Shams University, Aswan University, Beni Suef University, and Zagazig University in Egypt and Utah State, Washington State, Temple University, and the University of California-Santa Cruz in the United States. Since 1978, the United States has provided Egypt with more than $30bn (EGP 577bn) in economic assistance, including more than $3.5bn (EGP 67bn) to bring clean water and sanitation services to over 25 million Egyptians.
