Egyptian Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, Hani Suwelim, recently convened a meeting with members of the executive secretariat for Cairo Water Week. The purpose of the meeting was to assess the current state of preparations for the upcoming 9th Cairo Water Week. Scheduled to occur from October 25-29, 2026, the event will be held under the theme "Water as a Catalyst for Peace, Shared Prosperity, and a Sustainable Planet." This high-profile event is being held under the auspices of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.
According to Minister Suwelim, a significant number of international participants have confirmed their attendance at the event. These include 11 ministers and a special envoy, as well as four deputy ministers or heads of delegations. Moreover, several heads and representatives of international and regional organizations, research institutions, and academic bodies have also confirmed their participation. The minister emphasized that continuous follow-up is being conducted with other countries to ensure a strong and diverse lineup of participants.
The 9th Cairo Water Week is expected to feature an extensive program of activities. A total of 114 technical and scientific sessions will be organized, with the participation of various international and regional organizations. These organizations include the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the International Water Management Institute, and the Islamic Network for Water Development and Management. The event also marks the expansion of partnerships, with the European Union and FAO joining as co-organizers.
The conference program comprises several high-level and important sessions. One of these sessions will serve as a preparatory meeting for the 2026 United Nations Water Conference. Other sessions will focus on topics such as green water, capacity building in Africa and the Arab region, and water security. These sessions will be organized in collaboration with various international partners, including the Chinese Ministry of Water Resources and the World Water Council.
In conjunction with the main event, several parallel activities will be held. These include the 7th Arab Water Conference, which will take place on October 26-27, 2026. The conference will focus on the theme "Water in the Arab Region: Partnerships for Sustainable Development and Peace." Additionally, the Egyptian Agency for Partnership and Development will organize sessions on water partnerships in the Nile Basin and support for the African Water Facility.
The scientific committee of the 9th Cairo Water Week has received 122 research abstracts, of which 104 were accepted after initial evaluation. Forty participants with extended abstracts and 26 with full research papers have qualified for the next stage. The committee is currently conducting further evaluations. To enhance the scientific output of the event, a collaboration has been established with the World Water Policy journal. The journal will offer exclusive publication opportunities to high-quality research papers presented at the event.
The 9th Cairo Water Week will also feature various competitions aimed at supporting youth, researchers, and innovators. These competitions include the "Hackathon," "Three-Minute Thesis," "Young Innovators in Water," "Best Practices for Water Conservation," and "Best Graduation Projects." An exhibition will run parallel to the event, with 16 booths booked by prominent Egyptian and international companies and institutions operating in the water, infrastructure, and energy sectors.
Key points
- The 9th Cairo Water Week will be held under the theme "Water as a Catalyst for Peace, Shared Prosperity, and a Sustainable Planet."
- A total of 114 technical and scientific sessions will be organized during the event.
- The event has garnered significant international attention, with 11 ministers and a special envoy confirming their attendance.
