Egypt’s Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, Hani Sewilam, said on Tuesday that Egypt is working with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to expand climate adaptation projects in the water sector, focusing on coastal protection and sustainable resource management. The discussions reviewed progress on a $31.4m project funded by the Green Climate Fund.
Hani Sewilam, Egypt’s Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, underscored in a ministry statement the importance of strengthening cooperation on early warning systems for climate risks, alongside implementing practical and scalable adaptation projects.
The talks reviewed progress on a $31.4m project funded by the Green Climate Fund, aimed at enhancing climate adaptation along Egypt’s northern coast and the Nile Delta, scheduled for completion in November 2026. It includes mapping risks from sea level rise, saltwater intrusion, and flooding, plus upgrading coastal monitoring systems and developing an integrated coastal zone management plan.
The two sides discussed a potential second phase incorporating nature-based solutions such as beach nourishment to bolster shoreline protection. They also covered a renewable energy-powered desalination project for agricultural use, launched in 2023, with ongoing efforts to mobilise international financing for its expansion.
The meeting addressed Egypt’s national water adaptation plan, including assessments of climate change impacts on water resources and development of comprehensive databases to support flood protection projects.