Egypt, Jordan co-launch Arab ministerial council on water, agriculture
New platform to strengthen regional coordination on water governance, food security, and climate resilience across Arab nations
CAIRO, Egypt (MNTV) — Egypt and Jordan jointly inaugurated the Third Joint Ministerial Council of Arab Ministers of Water and Agriculture in Cairo, as part of the 8th Cairo Water Week, bringing together senior representatives from the Arab League, UN agencies, and regional organizations.
The session was opened by Egypt’s Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, Hani Sewilam, and Jordan’s Minister of Water and Irrigation, Raed Abu Al-Saud, who also chairs the Arab Ministerial Council for Water.
The meeting focused on advancing collective strategies for managing water resources and improving agricultural productivity amid growing climate and population pressures, according to Egypt’s Daily News.
Sewilam praised Arab states for enhancing coordination on water and food systems, stressing that the region remains among the most water-stressed globally, with over 65% of its water flowing from transboundary sources such as the Nile, Tigris, and Euphrates.
Citing UN data, he noted that 19 of 22 Arab countries fall below the water scarcity threshold, and that 90% of the population faces severe water stress.
Egypt’s per capita water share has declined to about 500 cubic meters annually, underscoring the urgency of sustainable management and regional collaboration.
The Egyptian minister outlined progress under the 2019 Cairo Declaration, including the establishment of a high-level technical committee to coordinate water and agricultural policies.
He showcased Egypt’s “Irrigation System 2.0” as a model integrating technology and renewable energy under the Water–Energy–Food–Environment (WEFE) Nexus.
Sewilam said Egypt has expanded desalination and advanced water treatment projects while achieving an irrigation efficiency rate of 88% through the reuse of 22 billion cubic meters of drainage water each year.
The country also imports crops equivalent to 34 billion cubic meters of “virtual water” to balance its food demand.
He called for creating joint Arab data and innovation platforms to enhance investment efficiency, improve water governance, and promote climate-smart agriculture.
The initiative, he added, reflects Egypt’s commitment to turning regional water challenges into opportunities for sustainable development and shared prosperity.
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