Egypt’s per capita share of water below half of water poverty line: Minister

CAIRO – 8 February 2026: Egypt’s per capita share of water has dropped to less than 490 cubic meters per year, below half of the United Nations-defined water poverty line, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty said on Sunday.

Abdelatty, who also serves as Chairman of the Supreme Standing Committee for Human Rights, made the remarks during a meeting with Pedro Araujo Agudo, the UN Special Rapporteur on the right to safe drinking water and sanitation, who is visiting Egypt at the invitation of the Egyptian government.

During the meeting, Abdelatty reviewed the measures Egypt has implemented over recent years to bridge the water gap and safeguard the water rights of more than 110 million citizens, noting the country’s heavy reliance on the Nile River, which provides 98 percent of Egypt’s water resources.

He explained that Egypt has adopted a comprehensive approach to addressing water scarcity through the development of legislative and institutional frameworks, alongside increased investment in infrastructure. These efforts include the launch of national projects to expand water supply and sanitation networks across the country, particularly in rural areas, most notably through the Decent Life (Hayah Karima) initiative.

Abdelatty also highlighted ongoing efforts in water recycling, the construction of desalination plants, improvements in water service quality, the adoption of modern irrigation technologies, and measures aimed at mitigating climate risks and protecting the environment.