Egypt showcases water management innovations at COP17

Egypt’s Minister of Water resources and Irrigation Hani Swailem has highlighted his country’s efforts to modernise water management and address growing resource challenges, during the 17th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

In a lecture titled “Innovations in Water Resources Management”, Swailem outlined Egypt’s water resources and needs, and stressed efforts to maximise available supplies by improving water-use efficiency, expanding the reuse of agricultural drainage water and making the most of every drop amid limited resources and rising demand.

He also emphasised Egypt’s co-operation with Nile Basin and African countries, including the exchange of expertise and knowledge to promote sustainable development and shared interests.

Swailem also pointed to the key elements of Egypt’s “Water 2.0” management system, including upgrading water infrastructure and adopting advanced technologies. The ministry is increasingly using satellite imagery and drones for monitoring and data collection to support faster, more accurate decision-making.

He referered to the digital twin project on the Ismailia Canal as an example of technology-driven water management.

The minister also highlighted agricultural drainage-water treatment and reuse, nature-based coastal protection, stronger water governance and greater stakeholder participation.

Egypt will carry on with combining modern infrastructure, technology, water reuse, nature-based solutions and community participation to ensure sustainable water resources and support development, the inister said.