Egyptian Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, Hani Suwelim, participated in the opening ceremony of the Euro-Mediterranean Water Forum 2026, held in Rome, Italy. The forum, which took place from September 29 to October 2, 2026, brought together numerous ministers, officials, experts, and representatives from international and regional organizations across the Mediterranean region, Europe, the Balkans, North Africa, and the Middle East. The event aimed to discuss pressing water-related issues and foster cooperation in sustainable water resource management.
The forum featured over 100 conferences and meetings, with a significant presence of international delegations and water sector specialists. The opening ceremony included speeches and interventions from prominent officials, including Roberto Gualtieri, Mayor of Rome; Antonio Tajani, Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation; Dr. Qu Dongyu, Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO); Fadi El Hajjali, Acting Secretary-General of the Union for the Mediterranean; and Retno Marsudi, Special Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for Water.
The speeches delivered during the opening ceremony emphasized the importance of enhancing regional and international cooperation to address the challenges of water scarcity and climate change, ensuring water security and sustainable development. The forum took place following the second ministerial meeting of the Union for the Mediterranean on water, which was hosted in Rome on September 28, 2026. During this meeting, a ministerial declaration on water was adopted, highlighting the need for solidarity, cooperation, and sustainable access to drinking water and sanitation services.
Minister Suwelim participated in several high-level sessions and events during the forum, focusing on topics such as water security, non-conventional water resources, water reuse, desalination, and international cooperation in addressing water scarcity. He also exchanged views and expertise with international ministers, officials, and experts on promoting sustainable water resource management and translating policies and strategies into actionable solutions and projects.
Egypt's participation in the forum reflects the country's commitment to enhancing cooperation with Mediterranean region countries and sharing experiences in water resource management. This engagement underscores the importance of collective efforts to address water-related challenges and emphasizes the need for innovative solutions and non-conventional water resources to support water security and sustainable development.
The Euro-Mediterranean Water Forum 2026 provided a platform for stakeholders to discuss and address the complex water-related challenges facing the region. With the active participation of Minister Suwelim, Egypt reaffirmed its dedication to regional cooperation and knowledge sharing in the water sector. The forum's outcomes are expected to contribute to the development of effective strategies and partnerships in managing water resources sustainably.
By participating in the Euro-Mediterranean Water Forum 2026, Egypt demonstrated its proactive approach to addressing water-related issues and its commitment to achieving water security and sustainable development. The forum's discussions and agreements are anticipated to have a positive impact on the region's water management practices and cooperation.
Key points
- Egyptian Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, Hani Suwelim, participated in the Euro-Mediterranean Water Forum 2026 in Rome, Italy.
- The forum aimed to discuss pressing water-related issues and foster cooperation in sustainable water resource management.
- Egypt reaffirmed its commitment to regional cooperation and knowledge sharing in the water sector during the forum.
