Egypt's Irrigation min., WMO chief discuss cooperation in water resources

CAIRO - 7 September 2022: Water Resources and Irrigation Minister Hani Sewilam met Wednesday with Secretary General of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Petteri Taalas and his accompanying delegation.

The meeting tackled ways of boosting cooperation between Egypt and the WMO in water resources sphere.

The two sides also discussed the international initiative for adaptation in the water sector, which will be presented by Egypt in cooperation with the WMO, along with other international partners during COP27 Climate Change Conference, set for Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, in November.

The meeting further discussed the initiative, which is currently being prepared by the WMO, through a mandate by the UN secretary general, to provide an early warning of climate change around the globe.

For his part, the irrigation minister voiced Egypt's keenness on hosting a regional center to predict weather phenomena in cooperation with the relevant national bodies, in order to provide the necessary support and apply early warning systems in water and irrigation spheres at the regional level.

Sewilam pointed out to the distinguished capabilities in the irrigation ministry and the research institutes in forecasting rainfall and and increasing preparedness in dealing with such changes.

He further referred to Egypt's support to the African countries in this sphere through providing several African countries with rainfall distribution maps.

Egypt also established a weather warning center in the Congolese capital of Kinshasa, the minister said, adding that Egypt provided several Africans with the necessary training in water and climate change adaptation.

Reviewing Egypt's contribution to Water and Climate Coalition, the minister pointed out to the possibility of Egypt's hosting of the upcoming meeting of the coalition on the sidelines of COP27 Climate Change Conference.

Egypt is keen on rallying international support for the coalition in the various international events, including the 5th edition of Cairo Water Week and COP27 Climate Change Conference, he went on to say.