Egypt prepares for ninth edition of Cairo Water Week

CAIRO – 5 July 2026: Egypt's Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, Prof. Dr. Hani Sewilam, reviewed preparations for the ninth edition of Cairo Water Week, which is scheduled to take place from October 25–29, 2026.

Sewilam described Cairo Water Week as one of the key mechanisms for advancing the international cooperation pillar of the Second Generation Egyptian Water System 2.0, noting that it provides a global platform bringing together policymakers, experts, international organizations, and development partners to exchange knowledge, strengthen cooperation, and support efforts to address water challenges and achieve sustainable development.

According to a ministry report, preparations for the scientific conference have made significant progress. The scientific committee has completed the first phase of evaluating submitted abstracts and is currently reviewing extended abstracts and full papers ahead of the final peer-review process and selection of presentations.

The technical programme is also expanding through cooperation with regional and international partners to organize specialized sessions, while additional events focusing on key water-related challenges are being incorporated into the agenda.

A total of 133 official invitations have been sent to representatives of countries worldwide. So far, the organizing committee has received responses from 13 countries, while coordination with governments and international organizations continues.

The report also highlighted strong participation in competitions aimed at supporting young researchers and innovators. A total of 167 applicants registered for the Young Innovators Competition, 117 projects were submitted to the Ala El Aad (Rationalize) Competition, and 37 contestants entered the Three Minute Thesis Competition. Submissions for the Best Graduation Projects Competition will open on August 15, 2026.

The event will also feature several high-level regional and international meetings, including the Seventh Arab Water Conference, to be held on October 26–27 under the theme "Water in the Arab Region: Partnerships for Peace and Sustainable Development." The conference will address water-use efficiency, governance of shared water resources, innovative financing, non-conventional water resources, and smart water management.

Cairo Water Week will also host a high-level event on water security organized by the World Water Council in cooperation with China's Ministry of Water Resources.

In addition, the event will host the final preparatory session for the 2026 United Nations Water Conference, bringing together the co-chairs of Interactive Dialogues 2, 3, and 5 to coordinate priorities, strengthen synergies among the dialogue tracks, and develop joint messages and recommendations to support the conference's outcomes.

Moreover, organizers are coordinating with the World Water Council and organizers of the 11th World Water Forum, set to be held in Saudi Arabia in 2027, to host a special session as part of the "Road to Riyadh 2027" initiative. The session aims to ensure continuity in global dialogue on water issues and strengthen links between the outcomes of Cairo Water Week and the upcoming World Water Forum.

Sewilam stressed the importance of maintaining regular follow-up on all organizational and technical preparations to ensure the ninth edition of Cairo Water Week reflects the event's international standing and highlights Egypt's leading role in promoting global dialogue and regional and international cooperation on water issues.