Egypt's Irrigation Minister reviews coastal protection efforts amid Climate Change challenges

CAIRO – 27 June 2026: Egyptian Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Hani Sweilem held a meeting to review the status of Egypt's coastal protection projects, the measures taken to address the impacts of climate change, and the activities carried out by the Egyptian General Authority for Shore Protection.

The meeting was attended by several officials from the Ministry, the Authority, and the National Water Research Center.

Participants reviewed the Authority's efforts to support the sustainability of coastal areas, aimed at enhancing its ability to confront the challenges posed by environmental and climatic change and to preserve coastal areas of urban, developmental, and economic importance.

Dr. Sweilem emphasized that Egypt's coastline represents one of the country's strategic assets, encompassing urban communities, development projects, and diverse economic activities, a reality that calls for continuous planning and an integrated scientific approach to ensure its preservation and maximize its benefits.

He noted that climate change is creating a new reality that requires strengthening coastal monitoring and research, as well as forecasting future changes, in order to support informed decision-making to protect the most affected areas and mitigate risks to infrastructure and existing investments in coastal regions. Dr. Sweilem also stressed the importance of accounting for the natural characteristics of beaches when evaluating new projects or proposals, to maintain the dynamic balance of the coastline and limit any negative impacts on surrounding areas.

He further emphasized the need to adhere to approved technical and environmental requirements for any work carried out within the marine environment, to preserve beaches and marine ecosystems, and to strike a balance between economic development needs and the preservation of natural resources.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Dr. Sweilem affirmed the Ministry's continued commitment to developing work mechanisms and updating regulatory procedures related to coastal zone management, strengthening the state's ability to address future challenges facing Egypt's coasts and supporting efforts toward sustainable coastal development.