By 2018, many countries around the world were grappling with numerous water-related challenges. In a rapidly changing global landscape, the MENA region faced a wide range of natural and human-made conditions, including water scarcity, demographic shifts, unemployment, poverty, changing consumption patterns, urbanization, rising water and food demands, growing energy needs, environmental degradation, climate change, water-related natural disasters, and gender disparities. These issues had significant impacts on water availability, quality, and the provision of ecosystem services, affecting the living conditions of both current and future generations and influencing migratory flows. During this period, many international conglomerates began prioritizing the water crisis.
Egypt, in particular, dealt with various water-related stresses and challenges. As a developing country, Egypt exemplified how vulnerable nations could be to climate change while simultaneously facing numerous threats to its economic, social, and environmental sustainability. Water resources in Egypt were, and remain, a critical pillar for achieving national wealth and prosperity. The realization of Egypt’s comprehensive “Sustainable Development Strategy 2030” and its associated plans across social, economic, and environmental dimensions depended heavily on the state’s ability to secure adequate water resources.
Cairo Water Week 2018 (CWW) marked the largest water-related event in Egypt, organized by the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation in collaboration with national, regional, and international partners. Its aim was to raise water awareness and encourage innovative solutions to address the most urgent water challenges, stay informed about global initiatives tackling water issues, and identify modern tools and techniques for managing water resources.
The inaugural edition of CWW in 2018, themed “Water Conservation for Sustainable Development,” served as a platform for the exchange of expertise, the development of practical solutions, and the formulation of recommendations to advance Egypt’s sustainable development goals. The event featured high-level official meetings, significant activities, and both plenary and technical sessions.
