Egyptian Minister of Water Resources, Hani Suwelim, emphasized the unique challenges facing Egypt's water sector, noting that over 98% of the country's renewable water resources are linked to waters originating from outside its borders. With renewable water resources totaling approximately 56.8 billion cubic meters annually, Egypt faces significant pressure on its water supplies. The country's water needs stand at around 123 billion cubic meters per year, while the per capita share of renewable water resources is about 472 cubic meters annually, placing Egypt below the absolute water scarcity threshold of 500 cubic meters per capita per year.
Minister Suwelim made these remarks during a session organized by the Egyptian General Authority for Information with regional and international media representatives and accredited foreign correspondents in Cairo. The session aimed to enhance direct communication with foreign media, provide official data and information on water issues, and explain Egypt's vision for managing water resources and cooperation in the Nile Basin. Over 80 correspondents from around 45 foreign media outlets participated in the session, which included a presentation by Minister Suwelim followed by an open dialogue.
The Egyptian government is undertaking substantial efforts to address these challenges. The country reuses around 23.2 billion cubic meters of water annually, and national projects for treating agricultural drainage water have added a processing capacity of approximately 4.8 billion cubic meters per year. Additionally, Egypt is expanding its desalination capabilities, utilizing groundwater, and leveraging virtual water through food imports. The government is also transitioning to smart management using telemetric systems, satellite imagery, artificial intelligence, mathematical models, and drones.
Minister Suwelim stressed that desalination is a complementary component of Egypt's water management system but will not replace the waters of the Nile River. He outlined the second generation of Egypt's water management system (2.0), which focuses on transitioning to more intelligent, efficient, and flexible management. This includes expanding water treatment and reuse, automated monitoring and telemetrics, and improving infrastructure and water facilities. The plan also involves enhancing flood forecasting and adapting to climate change.
The minister reassured the public that the government closely monitors the water situation and possesses advanced systems for monitoring, forecasting, and managing different scenarios. He emphasized that ensuring citizens' water security is a top priority. Suwelim also highlighted the importance of cooperation with Nile Basin countries, citing various projects Egypt has implemented to support development in these nations, including drilling wells, constructing water treatment plants, and harvesting rainwater.
Egypt's water minister discussed the overall water resources in the Nile Basin, noting that the basin receives around 2,000 billion cubic meters of rainfall annually. However, only about 84 billion cubic meters continue in the Nile River to Sudan, which is roughly 4-5% of the basin's total rainfall. He countered claims that Egypt receives the lion's share of Nile waters, stating that Egypt's 55.5 billion cubic meter allocation represents only about 2.7% of the basin's total rainfall.
Minister Suwelim also provided insights into the water resources and development potential of other Nile Basin countries, such as Ethiopia. He mentioned that Ethiopia received over 1,000 billion cubic meters of rainfall in 2023, with around 467 billion cubic meters falling within the Ethiopian part of the Nile Basin. Ethiopia's renewable water resources are estimated at 122 billion cubic meters per year. The minister highlighted the significant differences in water usage and resources between Egypt and other basin countries, emphasizing the need for cooperation and mutual understanding in managing the Nile's waters.
Key points
- Egypt faces significant water scarcity challenges, with over 98% of its renewable water resources linked to external sources.
- The country is implementing various measures to enhance water management, including expanding desalination, water reuse, and smart management systems.
- Egypt is committed to cooperation with Nile Basin countries, supporting development projects and emphasizing the need for a collaborative approach to managing the Nile's waters.
