Egypt backs global water governance enhancement at UN forum

Egypt is advocating for enhanced global water governance, presenting its vision at a side event organized by Kazakhstan during the UN's High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development in New York. Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, Dr. Hani Sewilam, highlighted Egypt's commitment to developing effective mechanisms for international cooperation in water management.

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Egypt's vision relies on developing the global water governance system by strengthening international cooperation to accelerate the achievement of Goal 6 of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Egypt's strategy focuses on four key areas: improving the global water governance system, selecting practical mechanisms to achieve broad consensus among member states, positioning the 2026 UN Water Conference as a crucial implementation phase, and supporting options to strengthen global water governance. The nation also aims to bolster coordination among various UN bodies involved in water issues and enhance the decision-making role of member states.

During the conference, Sewilam praised the discussion on the future of global water governance, stressing Egypt's perspective on fostering international cooperation to accelerate progress toward Sustainable Development Goal 6. He noted that the 2026 UN Water Conference presents a significant opportunity to discuss improvements in global water governance and establish foundations for future institutional development.

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The 2026 UN Water Conference represents a key implementation stage within the international water track.

Sewilam underscored Egypt's support for an open dialogue on all available options to strengthen global water governance. This includes examining ways to enhance the international institutional framework for water, improve inter-agency coordination within the UN, and empower member states' participation in global water governance. He stressed that any institutional development should be gradual, based on the outcomes of the 2026 conference, leverage existing international mechanisms, and gain broad international governmental consensus to ensure an effective, accountable system capable of delivering tangible results for nations facing increasing water challenges.

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Egypt supports holding an open discussion on the various options available to enhance the global water governance system.