Egypt’s government convened a joint ministerial meeting to address the impacts of climate change on national food security, bringing together the ministers of Water Resources and Irrigation, Local Development (also Acting Minister of Environment), and Agriculture, along with representatives from several concerned ministries and agencies.
Water Resources and Irrigation Minister Hani Sewilam highlighted Egypt’s major efforts in recent years to enhance the resilience of its water systems to climate change. These include expanding agricultural drainage water reuse, rehabilitating canals, drains, and pumping stations, and implementing projects for flood protection and rainwater harvesting. He also pointed to the growing use of satellite imagery, drones, and digital modeling for efficient water management.
Sewilam noted that the ministry has launched 27 digital applications aimed at improving water governance. Future plans, he said, include expanding seawater desalination plants powered by solar and wind energy, establishing decentralized wastewater treatment units, linking meteorological networks to agricultural systems to provide early warnings against heatwaves and droughts, and mapping crop patterns according to climatic zones.
Local Development Minister and Acting Environment Minister Manal Awad emphasized the importance of coordination among ministries to develop a unified national vision for addressing climate-related threats to food security. She explained that the Environment Ministry is prioritizing improved access to accurate meteorological and agricultural data, the promotion of scientific research and training programs, and the development of agricultural policies that support climate-resilient crop varieties and rural productivity.
Awad added that the government’s efforts also focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture, improving waste management, investing in modern irrigation and mechanization technologies, and providing farmers with affordable financing and insurance mechanisms to mitigate climate-related risks.
Agriculture Minister Alaa Farouk stressed the need for a clear, actionable plan that reflects current projects and sets future priorities. He underscored that coordination among ministries, research institutions, and the private sector is vital for scaling up climate-smart agricultural practices and developing crop and livestock varieties more tolerant to drought, salinity, and heat stress.
The ministers agreed to hold a follow-up meeting to review each sector’s plans, timelines, and mechanisms for mitigating the impacts of climate change on Egypt’s food security.
