CAIRO, Oct 13 (MENA) - Dr. Hani Sweilem, Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation and president of the African Ministers' Council on Water (AMCOW) said on Sunday that the seventh edition of the Cairo Water Week represents an exceptional opportunity to meet guests from around the world.

During the inauguration of the event, held under the auspices of President Abdel Fattah El Sisi, the minister said that this year's gathering is attended by representatives of more than 30 international organizations.

He said that Egypt suffers from scarcity of water as it is one of countries that is highly hit by drought, adding only 1.3 billion cubic meters of rain waters fall annually on the country while Nile basin states receive 1,600 billion cubic meters, only 3 percent of them reach the upstream countries, adding that downstream countries witness no water shortage.

He added that Egypt exerts strenuous efforts to efficiently manage water resources to face the water scarcity through introducing cutting-edge technology to irrigation systems.

Sweilem added that Egypt made major progresses in terms of water desalination and treatment through establishing water recycling plants such as the new Delta, Mahsama and Bahr El Baqar stations.

The minister said that Egypt is abiding by the international law on transboundary waters, expressing Egypt's keenness on cooperation with the Nile basin countries and implementation of joint development projects.

During the inauguration of the event president Sisi said the River Nile is the prime source of water in Egypt and preserving it is an existential matter that requires political commitment and tireless diplomatic efforts and cooperation with brotherly countries to achieve joint goals.

This year event is held under the theme of "Water and Climate: Building Resilient Communities".
(MENA)
M O H/D A E