FAO at the opening ceremony of the Seventh Cairo Water Week 2024

Cairo, Egypt - Dr. AbdulHakim Elwaer, Assistant Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), joined the opening ceremony of the 7th Cairo Water Week. In his speech, Dr. Elwaer highlighted that the major drivers of food insecurity and malnutrition in our regions are multifaceted, including climate variability and extreme events, conflicts, slow economic growth, lack of physical and economic access to food, and the growing inequalities, and mentioned that addressing these issues is crucial for fostering a sustainable future for water and food security.

Dr. AbdulHakim Elwaer, Assistant Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), will inaugurate the FAO Track during the Seventh Cairo Water Week, bringing together high-level decision-makers and water management experts from the Near East and North Africa (NENA) region. The event, held under the patronage of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, will run from October 13 to October 17, 2024.

The FAO is organizing a dedicated track focused on sustainable water management and innovative technologies for climate change adaptation. This track comes at a critical time for the NENA region, where over 60% of the population lives in areas facing high or very high water stress. With water availability per capita in the region declining by 20% in the last decade, this year’s Cairo Water Week highlights the urgency of developing resilient and sustainable water management practices to combat environmental degradation and climate change impacts.

Dr. Elwaer remarked, “Water scarcity is one of the most pressing challenges we face in the NENA region, where over 85% of available water is used for agriculture. Through innovative, science-based approaches, we can build water resilience, protect this vital resource, and ensure sustainable development for future generations.”

The FAO will lead several key sessions focusing on a range of important topics related to water management.

Main Topics to be Addressed:

• Modern Technologies for Sustainable Water Management

Experts will present innovative techniques, such as precision irrigation and water recycling, to optimize water use in agriculture and ensure sustainability, which consumes the majority of available freshwater resources in the NENA region.

• Enhancing Water Resilience through Data-Driven Approaches

Harnessing the power of data and analytics, FAO will showcase how real-time data and predictive models can improve water resilience, enabling better decision-making and resource allocation to combat climate change.

• A Multi-Dimensional Approach to Water Planning

FAO will explore integrated water planning frameworks that consider social, economic, and environmental factors to support the region's long-term water sustainability goals.

• Strengthening Water Resilience and Management in the NENA Region

Discussions will address the unique challenges facing NENA countries, such as increasing drought frequency and water scarcity. Strategies like adaptive water management and climate-smart agricultural practices will be discussed.

• Innovative Strategic Directions for Science-Based Decision-Making in Desalination for Agricultural Development (DAD)

With desalination emerging as a key tool for water-scarce regions, FAO will emphasize the importance of research-driven desalination techniques, especially for agricultural use, to ensure water availability while protecting ecosystem.

• Promoting Innovative Strategic Orientations for Advancing Science Based Decision Making in Desalination for Agriculture Development (DAD)

FAO will highlight advanced desalination technologies & renewable energy for sustainable agriculture, addressing the water-health nexus & showcasing how non-conventional water resources can bolster food security & sustainability in water-scarce regions.

• Promoting Innovative Strategic Orientations for Advancing Science Based Decision Making in Desalination for Agriculture Development (DAD). Countries Case Studies

FAO will examine the ecological impacts of desalination on soil & ecosystems at #CWW2024, sharing strategies to mitigate negative effects through Insights from case studies in Tunisia, Morocco, Egypt, Malta, & GCC promote the responsible integration of desalinated water in agriculture.

• From Waste to Resource: Advanced frameworks for Integrating Treated Wastewater in Modern Agricultural Practices. Countries Case Studies

FAO will explore advanced strategies for integrating treated wastewater into farming, focusing on cutting-edge technologies, safety standards & economic benefits of wastewater reuse to boost productivity & sustainability.

FAO also joins the High Level Joint Water-Agriculture Technical Committee Meeting – League of Arab States where the meeting will follow up on the implementation of the recommendations from its fifth meeting and to propose recommendations regarding the following:

1. Progress in implementing the Cairo Declaration Action Plan for 2023.
2. The use of non-traditional water resources in agriculture.
3. The voluntary application of guidelines for improving water allocation for sustainable agriculture.
4. Addressing the data gap in water and agriculture sectors through the application of spatial information (remote sensing and geographic data).
5. Enhancing the resilience of the agriculture and water sectors in facing the impacts of climate change.

The FAO track aims to reflect a commitment to addressing urgent water challenges in the region through collaborative efforts and strategic innovations, highlighting the importance of international cooperation in tackling water issues and sustainable development, contributing to the region's ability to mitigate water scarcity and achieve Sustainable Development Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation for All.

For more information on FAO Track at Cairo Water Week 2024.