The 9th Cairo Water Week concluded on October 29, 2026, with a grand closing ceremony attended by high-ranking officials from around the world. The event was graced by the presence of the Ambassador and Head of the European Union Mission in Egypt, ministers of water from Sudan, Congo Brazzaville, Botswana, and Liberia, as well as the Governor of Qalyubia and numerous senior officials from various countries and international organizations.
In his closing remarks, Dr. Hani Sweilem, Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, expressed his gratitude to President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi for his patronage of the event and his recorded speech at the opening ceremony. Dr. Sweilem also thanked all participants, organizers, and sponsors of the event, as well as Egyptian government agencies, for their cooperation in making the event a success. He highlighted that Cairo Water Week has become a global platform for dialogue on water and climate issues.
Dr. Sweilem reviewed the achievements of the previous eight editions of Cairo Water Week, which took place from 2018 to 2025. During this period, the event saw the participation of 2300 speakers, 650 organizations, 28000 participants, 140 exhibitors, and 43 competitions, resulting in the signing of 20 memoranda of understanding and agreements. This year's event saw an impressive turnout, with 2500 participants from 65 countries, including 20 ministers, 5 deputy ministers, and 185 members of ministerial delegations.
The event featured 138 sessions, including 7 high-level sessions, 5 competitions, and an exhibition with 23 exhibitors. Four memoranda of understanding were signed during the event. The participants represented a diverse range of stakeholders, including ministers, politicians, scientists, researchers, and students, which contributed to the richness of the discussions. The event also saw the participation of 118 regional and international organizations.
The closing ceremony was attended by high-ranking officials, including the Prime Minister of Egypt, 17 ministers and governors, and 20 ministers and 5 deputy ministers from various countries. The event also included a meeting between the President of Egypt and senior officials. During the event, Egypt took over the presidency of the Arab Water Council, and the country was elected as the chair of the council's executive office.
Key discussions during the event focused on the impact of climate change on the water sector, the use of modern technology in water management, and the importance of cooperation in managing shared river basins. The event also saw the launch of the African Water Facility's strategy for 2026-2030 and a session on the Nile Basin Initiative.
The next edition of Cairo Water Week is scheduled to take place from October 31 to November 4, 2027, under the theme "Water at a Crossroads: Global Landmarks in Climate, Land, and Nature."
Key points
- The 9th Cairo Water Week was attended by 2500 participants from 65 countries.
- Egypt took over the presidency of the Arab Water Council during the event.
- The next edition of Cairo Water Week will take place from October 31 to November 4, 2027.
